Northern Ireland Economy Minister Diane Dodds has urged the UK Government to ensure unfettered access for Northern Ireland freight travelling to Britain through the Republic of Ireland.
Minister Dodds took the step to write to Cabinet Office Secretary Michael Gove after research carried out by her department revealed at least 20% of Northern Ireland Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) traffic travels through the Republic of Ireland – predominantly Dublin Port – on its way to Britain.
The analysis suggests that there are around 80,000 accompanied HGV trips made via this route on an annual basis.
The research, which was carried out by Citi Logik, used mobile phone data to extrapolate freight movements.
It found also that 57% of HGV accompanied crossings between NI and GB go through Belfast and 22% go through Larne.
A key route for agri-food goods
Dodds called on Gove to “urgently” raise the matter with the Irish Government so that practical arrangements are put in place to allow NI goods to move through Dublin in the same way as from a local port.
Minister Dodds said: “We have been aware that a significant proportion of trade in goods travels via Dublin to Holyhead – particularly in relation to our agri-food sector. This route ensures that many can meet delivery slots for supermarket distribution centres.
“Until now, there had been little statistical information to back up the anecdotal evidence, however, my Department recently commissioned research which revealed more details on the volume of traffic using this route.
“The national government has committed to protect our place in the UK internal market and to guarantee unfettered access for our products.
It is clear that if 20% of this trade is moving via Dublin Port to GB because it is a pragmatic measure for their business, then the commitment to unfettered access must also address this trade route.
“If nothing is done to ensure that goods moving via Dublin are treated in the same way as NI goods leaving from Belfast or Larne, then the government is not fulfilling this promise.”
