The Minister of State at the Department of Transport has said that confidence that the port of Holyhead can reopen next Thursday is low.
Damage caused by Storm Darragh has forced the port to close which has led to a knock-on effect for ferry passengers and pre-Christmas deliveries.
Speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, Minister James Lawless said it was not possible to rely on the date of 19 December for a possible reopening, and that we needed to plan for the worst.
The Minister said he had been outlining this view to stakeholders in his department and in the haulage sector and ports, and that he would be meeting the ferry companies over the course of the weekend.
An Post has said that 150,000 parcels which were destined for Ireland but affected by a backlog at Holyhead Port in Wales have been re-routed to other ports in the UK.
The backlog was caused at the port after ferry sailings between Ireland and Wales were cancelled due to damage caused by Storm Darragh.
The delivery of 500,000 parcels to Ireland from the UK were impacted by the storm and An Post has so far received 350,000 of them.
It said it has the "facilities, technology and staff" across its hubs to deliver the parcels to homes and businesses around Ireland.
In a statement, it said that many retailers in the UK are working with ferry companies to organise alternative routes on larger vessels into Ireland while Holyhead remains closed.
"Larger capacity ferries are now accessing Ireland from Wales, Scotland and Liverpool via Rosslare Europort, Larne and Dublin Port, and will continue to do so right up to Christmas and into New Year 2025," it said.
An Post said that it expects to receive the remaining 150,000 parcels within days as alternative routes out of the UK have been secured.
David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, has said that if customers ordered their items before the storm, he is 99% confident they will get delivered before Christmas.
Mr McRedmond also said he was absolutely confident that everything that is ordered within Ireland, and arrives to An Post whether from Ireland or the EU, before 21 December will be delivered for Christmas.
The backlog at Holyhead meant that An Post had to get deliveries through Fishguard, Liverpool and through Larne, he said.
However, he said he was not sure whether Holyhead would be open next week, adding that An Post was not counting on it being reopened before Christmas.
An Post will charter some additional air freight, the CEO said.
The An Post CEO also suggested that customers order from Irish websites, and shop locally, whether online or in person.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, the Managing Director of An Post Commercial advised people to check retailers' websites to see if their deliveries are affected, but said that most online sellers have sourced alternative routes into Ireland in light of the closure.
Garrett Bridgeman encouraged people to track their parcel once it arrives in Ireland.
The Department of Transport has said that the department along with Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Minister for State James Lawless are actively engaging with all stakeholders to address the challenges to freight and passenger travel to and from Holyhead Port.
It said additional capacity is being provided from Rosslare while the ministers suggested that more northern ports and routes could also be considered.
Hauliers will 'struggle big time' to deliver freight before Christmas
Meanwhile, hauliers said they will be under pressure to deliver freight in time for Christmas Day.
Irish Road Haulage Association President Ger Hyland said that there was significant backlog in Rosslare, Fishguard and Pembroke ports.
"From our experience and knowledge, we are going to struggle big time next week to get freight delivered in time for the 25th (of December)," he said.
Simon McKeever of the Irish Exporters Association also said he is not optimistic that Holyhead will reopen on 19 December.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, he said that "obviously brings a lot of challenges in the run-up to Christmas".
Mr McKeever said that a joint effort was needed between both the Irish and Welsh Governments to resolve the issue.
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An Post has advised customers who are planning to order from the UK to check with retailers regarding their delivery dates for Ireland.
"There will be nationwide parcel deliveries and all post offices will remain open this Saturday 14 December," it said.
"An Post will be delivering up to Christmas Eve all parcels received by 21 December."
Ferry services between Dublin and Holyhead cancelled until 20 December
Meanwhile, Stena Line has said that due to the closure of Holyhead Port, it has cancelled all ferry services between Dublin and Holyhead until 20 December.
It said it is currently in the process of contacting all affected customers.
"Travel customers are advised to amend their bookings online free of charge or through Stena Line's contact centre.
"Stena Line is currently assessing options for additional sailings from Dublin to its ports in Birkenhead and Fishguard as well as from Belfast to Cairnryan and Heysham to assist continuity of trade and passenger flows," it added.
Irish Ferries, meanwhile, has cancelled all sailings on Dublin-Holyhead route until Thursday, 19 December.
It said it is deploying ships on alternative routes to boost capacity.
