Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 February 2019
6. 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. [9766/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhat steps has the Minister for Finance taken to date, and what steps does he plan to take, in preparation for post-Brexit customs checks at ports here, specifically Rosslare Europort?
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that in keeping with their role and responsibilities, they are strongly focused on facilitating the efficient and timely movement of legitimate trade post Brexit. During 2018, the Revenue Commissioners chaired an interdepartmental group established to consider the adequacy of port and airport infrastructure and facilities post Brexit. The group included representatives from the Revenue Commissioners; the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Health; the HSE's environmental health service; the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; the Office of Public Works; the Department of Justice and Equality; and An Garda Síochána.
Regarding Rosslare Europort, the group identified the infrastructural requirements, including service and accommodation requirements. Following a Government decision in September 2018, the OPW was 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 towards having the necessary 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.
As regards staffing and resources, I am advised that Revenue is on track to have appointed over 400 additional staff nationally to customs and related roles for Brexit during the period from September 2018 to 29 March 2019. Of these additional 400 staff, 30 are being assigned to Rosslare Europort. These additional staff will bring the total Revenue staff in that port to approximately 50 by the end of March.
I am also advised that on 30 January, Revenue, together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, hosted a customs Brexit information seminar in Wexford town. This was part of an extensive trader engagement programme where it contacted traders who trade with the UK to highlight and work on the many issues that will be generated by Brexit.
I understand that the Government is set to use emergency planning powers to provide border inspection facilities to provide facilities for customs and agricultural inspections at Rosslare Europort. The OPW has either purchased or leased a 16-acre site at Rosslare Europort or is in the process of doing so in order to provide customs sanitary and phytosanitary inspections. Regardless of whatever Brexit takes place, the UK will attract third party status and sanitary and phytosanitary inspections will be required with regard to animals and fish one way or the other. Can the Minister confirm whether the purchase or lease is complete and can he outline in detail the timeline for planning, design and building of this facility? When will it become operational? Is it true that these facilities are meant to be only temporary? The Minister confirmed that in his reply. What is the timeline for providing permanent facilities? Did the Minister state that it will be 2021. Will he use emergency powers in terms of planning to provide those facilities?
I will be doing so in order to ensure that Rosslare Europort is at the right stage of readiness for dealing with a disorderly Brexit. I understand that the purchase of the proposed site has been completed. If I am wrong in that assumption, I will contact the Deputy about the matter in the coming days. However, my understanding is that its has happened. In the context of what will be located there, the plan is that there will be 13 inspection bays for trucks coming off ships, parking for 35 trucks, a dedicated area for live animals and a public office with counters and hatches to deal with the public. Additional office accommodation for an additional 90 staff will be also required within the port area. Regarding my comments about temporary to permanent, I am only using the word "temporary" because of how quickly we must do this work. My expectation is that it will become permanent.
The site that has been purchased is 2 km from the port. One must pass several exit roads to get to it. How does the Minister propose to ensure the integrity of the lorries leaving Rosslare Europort to get to the customs facility? Will customs officials be following those trucks? Will they be guiding them - one in front and one behind - to ensure that the goods actually get to the customs check and their integrity is protected once they get there for inspection or will it simply be an honour system? The access road down to the port has been desperately in need of an upgrade for the past few years. I am told that Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Wexford County Council have funding to provide an upgrade but that Iarnród Éireann is refusing to contribute. This is a matter into which the Minister might look.
Either way, this is not just a port. It is a very large community with approximately 1,500 people living in it. There is already chaos down there regarding trucks getting in and out of the port. What facilities will be put in place to facilitate the local community? What engagement with the local community in terms of providing these facilities and this road has taken place?
To answer the core question regarding how we will deal with the area between the port and where the checking will take place, a traffic management system will be required to do that. A system of automatic number plate recognition will be put in place to ensure that as trucks and other vehicles are leaving the port, we can track how and when they arrive in the area within which they will be checked. If that system is not in place due to the speed with which all this could happen, alternative systems will be put in place to ensure the integrity of the procedures that will operate at the port. I will follow up on the Deputy's comments about Iarnród Éireann's alleged unwillingness to invest in infrastructure that might be needed in order to discover whether there is a need for me to intervene.
