Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to restate what the Taoiseach and others have stated on a number of occasions. The UK is out of the Single Market and has a new customs arrangement. These will present difficulties but they are not ours. The UK will have to look very seriously at the implications.

Deputy Durkan said there were concerns relevant to the island of Ireland, and that is true, but we need to continue to work on the specific difficulties as the discussions evolve. The issues show the importance of the all-Ireland civic dialogue, and we should continue with sectoral groups looking at specific concerns as they arise, sector by sector. There will be a differentiation between the part that deals with the free movement of people and those parts dealing with the free movement of goods, services and trade, which may take a long time to establish. This goes back to Senator Leyden's question about the customs relationship. We do not know what that will be, but preparations are very much ongoing to consider the potential outcomes, though this should not be mistaken in any way for an acceptance that there should be restrictions.

If members wish to send further questions by e-mail, we will be happy to give more detail. I apologise to Heidi Lougheed and the committee secretariat for not acknowledging the great work they did in preparing for this.