To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she has had any engagement with the Republic of Ireland Government in regards to expanding capacity on ferry routes from Ireland to continental Europe to reduce trade friction for importing and exporting goods as a result of Brexit.

I have not had any conversations with the Government in Ireland regarding ferry capacity from Ireland to continental Europe. The operation of ferries from Ireland to Europe is a commercial matter for the ferry operators, and they have responded to demand by increasing their sailings. There is no obvious deficit of supply and therefore no need for me to raise this as an issue with the Government in Ireland.