Minister of State at the Department of Transport James Lawless had a constructive meeting on Sunday evening with Welsh Government, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates, and Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans on the difficulties with Holyhead Port following Storm Darragh.
The Ministers agreed that they would work in full co-operation over the coming 10 days in the immediate term to ensure that freight and people can be transported as efficiently as possible across the Irish Sea using a range of alternative ports to Holyhead.
The Ministers agreed that this issue is a priority for both Governments.
Officials and Ministers will engage on a daily basis over the coming week, sharing key data and information on freight and passenger bookings and working closely with port and ferry companies to ensure alternative, additional and more frequent sailings where possible.
The Ministers are also in agreement on the importance of the Holyhead Port operator providing reliable and up-to-date information to the public and the logistics sector as work to re-open the port continues.
The Cabinet Secretaries also confirmed that the UK has relaxed regulations on the number of hours haulage drivers can work, just as Ireland has done this weekend too.
Cabinet Secretaries Skates and Evans will join Ministers Ryan and Lawless in a meeting with Irish Ferries and Stena Line Ferries today at 1pm.
Secretary Skates will also meet with the Welsh Secretary of State Jo Stevens, MP, and the UK Transport Minister Heidi Alexander, MP on the matter.
