00:00Thank you very much, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement.
00:07The closure of the port of Holyhead following the damage caused by Storm Dara has placed
00:12immense strain on the economy of north Wales, businesses reliant on trade across the Irish
00:16Sea and the communities whose livelihoods depend on the efficient operation of this
00:21critical transport hub.
00:22I welcome warmly the efforts taken in the aftermath of the storm and, as a former seafarer
00:28myself, working on the Ross Lare crossing, this is something that I've paid close attention
00:33to since Storm Dara.
00:35Cabinet Secretary, you rightly highlight the significance of Holyhead as the UK's second
00:39busiest passenger ferry port and its central role in the UK island trade corridor.
00:44However, the delays in reopening the port, initially anticipated shortly after the storm
00:49and then pushed to 16 January for partial operations, have caused considerable uncertainty.
00:55While it's positive to hear that one ferry berth will reopen for four daily services,
00:59the fact that full operations are not expected until March leaves businesses and communities
01:05in a state of limbo.
01:06So, could the Cabinet Secretary provide greater clarity on the timeline for the full restoration
01:12of services, particularly in light of the delays in underwater inspections?
01:17I note the commendable efforts of stakeholders to secure alternative routes and additional
01:22capacity via Fishguard, Pembroke Dock and ports in north-west of England.
01:28The James Joyce and the Isle of Innisfree from Irish Ferries and the Nordica and Adventurer
01:33from Stenaline sailing from Pembrokeshire's ports were critical in addressing the immediate
01:38impact during the holiday season, as acknowledged rightly in your statement.
01:42However, this does also underscore the importance of the southern corridor, which is often overlooked.
01:48While I appreciate that this statement focuses rightly on Holyhead, an update from yourself
01:53on the port of Pembroke and Fishguard harbour and whether the Welsh Government has a view
01:58on focusing or consolidating passenger services in the southern corridor to strengthen it
02:03on the route to Rosslyr would be welcome, because a balance needs to be struck, maximising
02:09the opportunities presented by the southern corridor while ensuring this does not detract
02:13from Holyhead.
02:15So, what assurances can the Cabinet Secretary provide that these temporary measures will
02:19not result in a permanent shift away of services from Holyhead, and, additionally, how does
02:24the Welsh Government intend to fully capitalise on the opportunities in the southern corridor
02:30without undermining Holyhead's strategic importance?
02:33I think the phrase that you used, Cabinet Secretary, was not just ësurviveí but ëthriveí.
02:37I would agree with that.
02:39The Cabinet Secretary's recognition on the strain of logistics and the adaptability of
02:44the sector is welcome, but the knock-on effects remain significant.
02:48The increased traffic to other ports has highlighted issues with driver facilities and road infrastructure.
02:54Indeed, hauliers were contacting me about potential poor facilities.
03:00The Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee report, ëA New Direction for HGV Driversí,
03:06has recommendations 4 and 6, which call for improvements in driver rest provisions and
03:12facilities.
03:13I think this is particularly relevant, given the increased pressures on other ports and
03:17routes.
03:18So, Cabinet Secretary, could you update the Chamber on progress in implementing the recommendations
03:24of the ETRA report?
03:26I would also urge the Cabinet Secretary to potentially consider, in the future, delivering
03:31a specific statement on the Welsh Governmentís progress in implementing this whole report,
03:36given that your predecessor, Bar 1, agreed in principle or entirely with the recommendations
03:43of that report.
03:45Finally, while I welcome the establishment of a taskforce to develop a new strategy for
03:51Holyhead and the broader work on a port strategy for Wales, it is vital that these initiatives
03:56deliver tangible outcomes.
03:58Too often weíve heard of focus groups and task and finish groups being launched with
04:02no tangible outcomes.
04:04So, what specific measures will the taskforce prioritise to enhance the resilience of critical
04:08transport links like Holyhead and other ports across the Irish Sea?
04:14Furthermore, how will the taskforce ensure that these ports are utilised as economic
04:18catalysts delivering prosperity to the regions that they serve?
04:23Indeed, ports over time and memoriam have been catalysts in delivering economic prosperity
04:28in the region, be that through fishing, be that now through the oil and gas industry
04:32in Pembrokeshire, be that through freight and passenger terminals up in Holyhead and
04:36other ports.
04:37These harbours, these ports, are key to that.
04:39If your taskforce will look at that specifically in the wider prosperity of those regions and
04:43how ports play a fundamental role to that, I think that is incredibly significant.
04:48The closure of the port of Holyhead is not just a logistical challenge but a test of
04:53leadership and foresight.
04:54That said, the adaptability of other ports in filling the void has been warmly welcomed
05:00and commendable.
05:02Looking ahead, hauliers, businesses and all customers need assurance on the future of
05:06Irish Sea crossings.
05:07The Welsh Government must take a lead in delivering those insurances.
05:11Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd.
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