The Port of Holyhead

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:14 pm on 13 February 2018.

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Photo of Carwyn Jones Carwyn Jones Labour 2:14, 13 February 2018

(Translated)

There are two points there. One of the things that I was told yesterday is that it’s vital, of course, that there is no kind of delay in Holyhead, Pembroke Dock or Fishguard, but that it's also vital that we want to ensure that Dover also moves as swiftly, because so many goods go through Wales and England, and then to France from Dover, and the danger is that there will be a slow-down in all those ports. An example was given to me of fish being exported: the ferry was late crossing the Irish sea and so, because of that, the lorries missed the boat, as it were, in Portsmouth, and then all those goods perished. Their worry is that, ultimately, that will be an usual occurrence. It’s right to say that there is no structure whatsoever in Holyhead, or even in Dover currently. It’s impossible to check every lorry, despite the example that was given.

And the second question. I have stated completely frankly that any agreement should come to this Assembly and to Scotland and Northern Ireland—hopefully—and, of course, to Westminster, and there should be a vote to agree on that agreement by every Parliament and Assembly, not just in Westminster, because in my opinion, without that, it's not sustainable.