Ferry companies, ports, and the UK Government urgently need to address the significant backlog of supplies and ensure Irish hauliers can return home for Christmas.

The Irish Road Hauliers Association (IRHA) is calling for a more serious response, as many lorry drivers risk being stranded in the UK over the festive period due to the closure of Holyhead and techical issues caused by Storm Eowyn.

Irish Ferry Ulysses and Stena Ferry Holyhead Port. The Photolibrary Wales / Alamy.

With hauliers stranded on both sides of the channel, IRHA President Ger Hyland is urging ferry companies and UK authorities to take immediate action.

"If this was the port of Dover instead of Holyhead, or some of the major airports in and around London, there would be far more effort from the English government to get this freight moving,” he said.

“The Irish Government is actually working with the UK government to try and find a solution to this, but it needs to be escalated right to the top.”

It was announced earlier this week that Holyhead port would be closed until January 15th due to damage closed by Storm Darragh.

However, this is now looking unlikely with some hauliers saying it won't be in full operation until after St Partick's Day in March.

Featured image: Lorries and trailers at Holyhead Port, North Wales, UK. Image: Alamy