Taskforce on sea connectivity between Wales and Ireland: terms of reference

The announcement of a taskforce followed the temporary closure of Holyhead port following damage to its berthing infrastructure inflicted by Storm Darragh.

We have always recognised the strategic significance of Holyhead especially in terms of trade and passenger movements, by our support for the Anglesey Freeport and our support to ensure that the port’s breakwater can be maintained so that the port can remain usable for many decades to come. Stena Ports remain committed to Holyhead’s long-term future. 

The taskforce will ascertain what Holyhead and other Welsh ports need from all stakeholders over the longer term, to not just survive, but to thrive.

This taskforce will consider the resilience of sea connectivity between Wales and Ireland, so that these critical transport links can better withstand the challenges we expect from climate-driven changes in severe weather patterns and other hazards and threats. It is crucial we work together so we can secure a successful future for Irish sea crossings. Irish stakeholders’ input will be crucial for contingency planning, welfare and facilities discussions, and their knowledge of the current fleet of vessels that operate on these routes.

Each taskforce meeting is likely to focus on a specific resilience topic.

The taskforce will focus on three key areas and will advise the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales and the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning on:

1. Contingency planning

An output of this taskforce should be a guide, setting out clear expectations of the actions to be taken by stakeholders should a port be closed at short notice this element should include actions from our Irish stakeholders.

This work will include: -

• Resilience of our Welsh Ports, a deep dive into what information can be shared by our Welsh ports on their resilience plans, what lessons have been learnt from Holyhead, the temporary capacity created at Fishguard and Pembroke Dock, how did our transport links cope, what changes have taken place, what more can others do to help and where are the gaps?
   
• The wider geographic role – what are the resilience plans of other UK Ports and what can other devolved nations share as best practice? We will include feedback, details and information from Dublin and Rosslare on this element.

2. Current and live projects

Current and live projects to improve resilience and develop ports facilities including (but not limited to) Holyhead Breakwater, Anglesey Freeport, North Wales Growth Deal (and Swansea Bay if relevant), Regional Transport Plans for SW Wales and NW Wales, recommendations of NW Transport Commission. The role that Government (Welsh, UK, regional and local) play in realising these projects. Ports resilience part of Inter Ministerial Transport Group discussion topic. Delivery levers and barriers.

3. Future developments

What are future needs of ports, capacity growth, infrastructure requirements, resilience, economic opportunities?

How are these factored into policy priorities and investment decisions including the future role of Corporate Joint Committees in relation to the strategic development plans, regional transport plans and the economic well-being priorities of a region?

The taskforce will not produce a report, but instead a set of conclusions setting out action that need to be taken forward separately by members of the taskforce. The recommendations could be considered in more depth within the Welsh Government’s freight and logistics plan and/or the Ports and Maritime Strategy.

There will also be actions for the stakeholders and all relevant sectors in the Welsh economy to take forward to maximise the opportunities within Welsh ports, as well as actions to overcome future challenges.

Key areas the taskforce will need to address/consider in the development of the contingency guide:

• port investment and development requirements to cope with future weather patterns
• passenger and Freight Transport Port connectivity resilience and enhancements
• in the case of an emergency agreement with Welsh/ UK Ports is there a need for facilitated access.
• inter-operability, i.e. matching ships with berths, so transfer from one route to another can take place quickly and smoothly
• designation of “transport and supply chain coordinators” on both sides of the Irish Sea, to be activated in emergency circumstances
• staff/workforce welfare considerations port workers, drivers and supply chain workforce welfare
• skills and workforce requirements
• communication in event of Port closure

The taskforce will conclude by end of October 2025.

Due to the commercial sensitivities of material to be discussed within the taskforce, we will not publish minutes from the meetings. Members will respect the confidential nature of any discussions. Any other published outputs from the group will be agreed with all members of the group.

Welsh Government officials will act as Secretariat.

The taskforce will aim to meet every month through a combination of face to face and Microsoft Teams meetings.

The taskforce will be supported by officials from across government.

Each meeting is likely to focus on a particular theme.

The taskforce co-ordinator/Chair will be the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales.  

Membership will be as follows:

• Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales
• Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
• Irish Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports
• Irish Consul General
• Irish Government Transport Officials
• Representative from Maritime Policy Scottish Government
• Representative from Northern Ireland Department of Infrastructure
• Representative from Irish Department of Transport
• Representative from Wales Office
• Representative from Anglesey County Council
• Representative from Pembrokeshire County Council
• Representative from Irish Ferries
• Representative from Stenaline
• Representative from RMT
• Representative from Road Haulage Association
• Representative from Logistics UK
• Representative from Irish Exporters Association
• Representative from Ireland Freight Transport Association
• Representative from UK Government
• Welsh Government officials acting as Secretariat 

A contact group will be established for those Members of the Senedd with Irish Sea ports in their constituency (including regional MSs) so they remain sighted as the taskforce progresses. 

The secretariat will send a written brief following each meeting of the taskforce (with the option of a scheduled follow-up call).