Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Welsh and Irish ministers meet to discuss safeguarding Irish Sea links

07 Mar 2025 2 minute read
MV Stena Superfast X leaving Holyhead. Picture by Reading Tom (CC BY 2.0)

Welsh and Irish minister met today in Dublin to discuss plans for safeguarding and building on the links between the two countries across the Irish Sea.

Wales’ Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates and Irish Government Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports Sean Canney discussed the terms of reference for the Taskforce set up following disruption to services following storm damage to Holyhead just before Christmas.

‘Highly valued’

Mr Skates said: “The links between Wales and Ireland are highly valued, not only for economic reasons but for cultural reasons too.  The temporary closure of the port of Holyhead highlighted to all how vital this link between our countries is.

“We will build on what has been learnt over the past few months, taking into account the work committees of the Senedd and Parliament are undertaking, to see what we can all do to strengthen the resilience of the links between Wales and Ireland and our ports for the future.

“It is important the input of Irish Government and industry is in the work of the taskforce and represents their needs too, which has been the main focus of today.  I look forward to continuing to work together on this vital piece of work.”

Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates with Irish Government Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports Sean Canney

Mr Canney added: “I am delighted to have met with Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates today, to further cement the strong relationship built up between our Governments during the disruption to Holyhead port.

“ I welcome the establishment of the Welsh Task Force to examine how to ensure the resilience of the vital trade route between Dublin and Holyhead into the future. As Minister with responsibility for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I am committed to contributing to the important work of the Welsh task force over the coming months.

“This will ensure Ireland’s interests are set out and understood, and help frame recommendations in securing this crucial economic link.”


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

6 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Larry
Larry
16 days ago

How about a high speed foot passenger ferry to the centre of Dublin.

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
16 days ago

Teach the Irish Ferry drivers how to go astern safely…

Vale Cymru
Vale Cymru
16 days ago

Irish Ferries didn’t even bother to turn up to the enquiry over the damage to berth #3
Even though their ship hit it in a force 10 gale.

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
16 days ago

The greater security of the Irish Sea against the Russian navy should be on the agenda…

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
16 days ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

Dr Strangelove…

Better add USN vessels to the watch list. It is hard to believe that given our past shared sacrifices to freedom, we will never be sure again…

Remember the V bombers, because without Trident air-launch will be back…

Or Silos, to add to wind and solar farming opportunities in Cymru…

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
16 days ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

A thought, just when we need all our services to be on top line we’ve had the Baroness and a Ministry of Silly Walks…

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.