On Monday, the postal service plans to deliver another 350,000 parcels, along with hundreds of thousands of Christmas cards. The company has committed to providing daily updates to customers regarding their deliveries.

The backlog of shipments ahead of Christmas has caused significant concern for businesses and postal services, particularly following the damage at Holyhead Port during Storm Darragh. The port is expected to remain closed until at least Thursday, December 19th.

To address this, An Post announced that additional ferry capacity has been established on other routes to Ireland. Larger vessels and additional sailings have been deployed across UK and EU shipping lanes.

However, this doesn’t fully compensate for the six daily sailings typically available through Holyhead. Alternative ports also require longer transit times due to extended driving distances.

In response to the crisis, the Department of Transport temporarily relaxed driver hour regulations for two weeks, from December 14th to December 27th, to allow truck drivers to operate for longer hours. This is the first such measure since the Covid-19 pandemic.

An Post has received almost all parcels affected by the Holyhead disruption, with only 16,000 of the 500,000 impacted parcels still outstanding. These items are now in transit, and the company is securing air freight capacity to ensure timely delivery of parcels traditionally routed through Holyhead.

All parcels processed through An Post hubs are being delivered immediately, supported by advanced technology, additional staff, and extended operations during the holiday season. The company assured customers that parcels received by December 21st will be delivered in time for Christmas.

Customers awaiting items ordered before Storm Darragh are advised to contact the seller if delivery is delayed past Monday evening. Those ordering from UK retailers should confirm delivery timelines, as dispatch times may take longer despite newly secured routes to Ireland.

An Post encourages customers to support local businesses and shop Irish.

Minister of State for Transport James Lawless is set to meet Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, on Sunday to discuss solutions for clearing the trade backlog through alternative Welsh ports. A meeting with UK Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander and Irish Transport Minister Eamon Ryan is also being scheduled for next week.

Additionally, Ministers Ryan and Lawless will meet logistics stakeholders on Monday and hold discussions with Irish Ferries and Stena Line Ferries to address the crisis. Both ministers have been fully briefed by transport authorities, including the Irish Maritime Development Office and the National Transport Authority, on strategies to mitigate the impact of Holyhead’s closure and ensure the smooth flow of goods and passengers.