Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I did not say that the Revenue Commissioners are planning. None of us is naive enough to think that it is planning before Brexit negotiations have begun. I asked if it is the case that Revenue has contingency plans in regard to customs posts along the Border. Until I referred to the freedom of information document I received which quotes 31 records, the witness said it was trade facilitation. That is not my main point. My main point is to ask why we cannot see the 31 records? What is so top secret that we cannot see what Revenue is thinking about if we do not get the type of agreement with our EU partners or Britain in regard to Brexit we would like? I cross the Border on the way to the Oireachtas. Businesses will have to cross it. We need to speak the truth here and tell people what is possible and what one of the likely outcomes is. We must then outline how we will counteract that or work towards a different outcome. Why does the Revenue not release its briefing documents to Members of the Oireachtas? Why are we being kept in the dark in regard to contingency planning? What is so secret about it? This issue is not part of negotiations but is preparing for a potential outcome of the negotiations. It has nothing to do with a negotiating strategy. I do not understand this. Why would this type of information not be provided to an Oireachtas committee on finance which is trying to deal with these issues and holding hearings over the next few days on this issue?