Interesting point on the ever listenable Brexit Republic podcast from RTÉ. The indefatigable Tony Connelly noted that last week Thomas Byrne, the ROI's European Affairs Minister launched 'yet another ferry route from France to Ireland' in Le Havre which would bring the number of direct routes to Ireland from France to he thinks 45. As he says they're springing up all the time now. The one he references is presumably this one? RTÉ had already note the arrival at 44 routes prior to this in October.

But for a sense of the sea change (ahem) check this out:

Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne has today inaugurated a new Irish terminal at the French ferry port of Dunkirk, with Ireland-France sea routes rising from 12 before Brexit to 44 now.

And what of this?

The importance of Dunkirk has become the latest outworking of Brexit and reflects the growing need for direct sea routes to and from Ireland so that Irish and other EU exporters can sidestep the UK land bridge.

That is because the land bridge is now associated with delays and customs formalities.

Mr Byrne said the land bridge was still important as it took less time than average and was important for certain fresh foods.

Here's a very illuminating tweet from the DFA.