A REPORT into the impact of Brexit on Welsh ports has criticised Welsh Government ministers for failing to meet their Irish counterparts to discuss the matter.

A section of the the cross-party external affairs committee's report said that members were "extremely concerned" that the cabinet secretary for economy and infrastructure had not met with the Irish government.

The report reads: "We are extremely concerned that the cabinet secretary for economy and infrastructure has not yet met with counterparts in the Irish Government to discuss the implications of Brexit for Welsh ports and Ireland-Wales transport links. We note that his counterparts in Ireland were keen to facilitate meetings with us and that securing those meetings was relatively straightforward."

Responding to the report, Welsh Conservatives leader Andrew RT Davies said: "The most damning finding of this report is that the cabinet secretary hasn’t even bothered to meet with his Irish counterparts to discuss a way forward.

"Our ports are the frontline in British trade and we have less than two years to prepare for Brexit.

"It’s yet more evidence of a Labour government which is happy to sit on the side-lines complaining - rather than seeking to make Brexit work for everyone."

A Welsh Government spokesman said: "The economy secretary is in active correspondence with his Irish counterpart on the potential impact of Brexit on Welsh and Irish ports and a meeting between the two is currently being arranged.

"We are continuing to work closely with a range of partners, including our counterparts in Ireland, to assess the implications of Brexit and explore mutual challenges and opportunities."