Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2019
166. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the number of goods import transactions and goods export transactions, respectively, in 2018 in Irish-UK trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16744/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA breakdown of individual goods export and import transactions to and from the UK for 2018 is not available from the CSO.
However the Central Statistics Office’s (CSO) statistical releases on external trade show that, in 2018, Ireland exported €16.1 billion worth of goods to the UK, and imported €19.8 billion worth of goods from the UK. This represents 11% of total goods exports and 22% of total goods imports.
The UK is one of Ireland’s most important trading partners. Maintaining the closest possible trading relationship between the EU and the UK is therefore one of the Government’s key Brexit priorities.
The Government will continue to work to improve the business environment – to make it more competitive, to assist exporters to diversify markets, and to provide better infrastructure.
Longer-term, we need to mitigate against the potential of regulatory divergence between the UK and EU standards given its potential impact on trade and investment and the competitiveness of our businesses. We will therefore be working to minimise this impact and to ensure a level playing field.
