Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2019
122. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance the steps he has taken to date and plans to take in preparation for post-Brexit customs checks at ports here, specifically Rosslare Europort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2587/19]
View answerThe continued free-flow of trade through our ports and airports is a key priority for the Government. Revenue have undertaken and continue to undertake significant preparations to facilitate this post-Brexit.
During 2018, Revenue chaired an Inter-Departmental group which was established to consider the adequacy of port and airport infrastructure and facilities, post-Brexit. The group included representatives from Revenue; the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM); the Department of Health; the HSE’s Environmental Health Service (EHS); the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTS); the OPW; the Department of Justice; and An Garda Síochána.
I am advised that the group considered the requirements for both the ‘Central Case’ and the ‘no-deal’ scenarios and the physical infrastructure requirements to facilitate and support the movement of legitimate trade; including requirements of Revenue; DAFM; and the HSE’s EHS; to carry out any necessary Customs interventions and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks at ports and airports. The group identified that infrastructure was required at Dublin Port, Rosslare Europort and Dublin Airport and agreed proposals on the nature and scale of new or extended facilities that would be required.
In relation to Rosslare Europort, the group identified the infrastructural requirements including service delivery and accommodation requirements. Following a Government Decision in September 2018, the OPW were tasked with leading the engagement with relevant stakeholders, with a view to ensuring that the necessary additional infrastructure for both the central case and the no-deal scenarios becomes operational in a timely manner. This work is ongoing and it is planned to have temporary facilities in place to cater for a no-deal scenario in March 2019 as well as permanent facilities in place by 1 January 2021.
