Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2019
130. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if his officials have met with or made representations to the relevant EU and UK officials to ensure that the United Kingdom recognises the legal requirements such as the Authorised Economic Operator, AEO, qualification for Irish hauliers transiting through the UK following its decision to leave the EU. [2753/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that while Customs legislation and procedures are applied and executed by the Member State’s (MS) Customs authorities acting in their own capacity, Customs is the sole competence of the EU. The Union Customs Code (UCC) which came into force on 1 May 2016 is the legal framework for Customs and this sets out the customs procedures across the EU. Revenue participate in regular meetings with their MS counterparts to ensure a common interpretation of customs matters in line with the UCC and a consistent approach to its implementation.
The UCC provides for certain simplifications, procedures and authorisations that can further facilitate trade. The Authorised Economic Operation (AEO) is one such authorisation. I am advised by Revenue that recognition of authorisations post-Brexit, including AEO status, will be a matter for the UK and the EU and mutual recognition of the AEO status will form part of the future trading relationship negotiations between them. There has been no decision to date in relation to mutual recognition of AEO status in a no-deal scenario.
Revenue have clarified that it is not necessary to avail of any of the specific trade facilitation measures allowable under the UCC such as AEO status in order to trade with a non-EU country. The only requirement for businesses that wish to trade with a non-EU country is that they obtain an Economic Operators’ Registration and Identification (EORI) number from Revenue. This is a straight forward process and can be applied for online via the Revenue website.
