Ferries dispute likely to effect exports

The Irish Ferries dispute is likely to have an impact on exports in the run up to Christmas, it was claimed on Monday, November 28th.

Around 25% of exports are ferried by the company, amounting to E12bn out of a total of E48bn from Irish industries.
International businesses may, therefore, have to look elsewhere for business.
Goods badly hit by the ferries dispute include meat, milk and other dairy products.

John Whelan, the Irish Exporters Association's chief executive, said that Irish manufacturers were already struggling to get their goods across the water.
"The chunk of 25% transport capacity pulled out of the market has caused a huge bottleneck in backlogs," he said.

He added that the manufacturing industry also faces a tough battle if delayed services are added to Ireland's already high costs.
"The longer it drags on the harder it will be to retain business," he said.