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Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:02 pm on 7 March 2023.

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Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 2:02, 7 March 2023

(Translated)

I thank Rhun ap Iorwerth for that question. I do agree that one of the things that we are going to keep a watching brief on over the weeks to come is to see whether, in the new agreement, there is a greater emphasis on companies going directly from the UK to Northern Ireland. The details are important and we don't have them yet, but we are going to be determined to pursue that point.

Regarding the breakwater in Holyhead, we are still part of the discussions that are ongoing. We're working with Stena and we as a Government—as we've said already—are willing to be part of the group that's coming together to pay for those costs. It's important to have the UK Government around the table as well; I am rather concerned if they do withdraw from that process. We've seen over the last week what's happened with the Holyhead hydrogen hub, where they haven't come to the table with the funding that they had already announced. And we've seen a couple of things that raised concerns with us regarding the role that they are willing to play with that breakwater as well. But we're still there, and Stena are still there, recognising the importance of doing that work for the future of Holyhead.