Michael Moynihan
Question:122. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed the advantages of the UK remaining in the customs union after Brexit. [10597/19]
View answerTuesday, 16 April 2019
Questions (122)
Written answers
A key priority for the Government is to minimise the impact of Brexit on Ireland's trade and economy. We have therefore consistently stated our wish to see the closest possible relationship between the EU and UK, including on trade.
The Government has expressed a strong desire for the UK to remain in the Single Market and Customs Union. However, this is ultimately a decision for the UK. The UK Government has made clear its wish to leave the Single Market and Customs Union. The UK being outside the Customs Union and the Single Market will inevitably lead to frictions in trade, and will have negative economic consequences, in particular for the UK.
We are aware that the UK's future trading relationship with the EU is the subject of ongoing discussions between the UK Government and the Labour Party, aimed at ensuring an orderly UK withdrawal from the EU. In these discussions, the Labour Party has proposed that a permament Customs Union is agreed between the EU and the UK. In its conclusions of 10 April 2019, the European Council again made clear that should the UK’s position on the EU-UK future relationship evolve, the EU is prepared to reconsider the Political Declaration on the future relationship.
A permanent EU-UK Customs Union would have significant advantages in terms of facilating trade between Ireland and the UK, a major market for Irish exports. Such a Customs Union would also go some way to avoiding a hard border on the island of island, including by avoiding the need to collect tariffs and to undertake other customs checks. However, regulatory alignment with certain rules of the EU Single Market is also required to avoid checks and controls, for example to ensure product safety or animal health standards.