The Directors had always assumed that they would be awarded the mail contract on the opening of the line, and that this would include operating the mail packet boat service. Towards the end of 1846, the Company tried to start negotiation with the Government and were curtly rebuffed. Moreover, the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company and other private operators objected to the powers to run steamships sought by the company in the 1847 Parliamentary session. The situation was exceedingly paradoxical, because the Government was financing improvements to the Holyhead harbour, and to the company's steamers were using it, but the company were forbidden from operating them.