Statement by TUV North Antrim Assembly candidate and Mid and East Antrim Deputy Mayor Matthew Armstrong:
“The sudden stoppage of P&O services yesterday, particularly the suspension of the Larne-Cairnryan service has already dealt a cruel and unacceptable blow to the seafaring staff who were so abruptly stripped of gainful employment without notice – or as many would suggest, justification.
“To compound matters is the very real threat to local business and consumers alike as the volume of goods traffic from GB to Northern Ireland cannot be absorbed by other existing providers.
“From haulage companies to supermarkets and building suppliers both large and small who were reliant – exclusively in some instances – on the ports of Larne and Cairnryan, the pinch will very soon be felt across a myriad of sectors and I suspect it will not be long before supply issues arise on goods that we all expect to be readily available on a daily basis.
“The mooted delay of 5-7 days, presumably to train the inexperienced replacement staff, is a further unwarranted insult and I would urge those with influence to rethink their ill judged strategy to avoid lasting damage being done to our recovering economy.
“All levels of government must do their utmost to resolve the situation as a matter of urgency as the vast supply chain may not have a week to wait.”