Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Professor Gerry Boyle for engaging with the committee.

The whole issue of tariffs is a significantly important but divisive issue. The customs union, with the free movement of people and goods, has been beneficial to the island of Ireland. There are massive implications, which Senator O'Reilly touched on, for Border milk producers, the dominant commodity transported between North and South. There are processing facilities right along the Border, including in counties Cavan and Donegal.

In terms of our bargaining position, what is Teagasc’s view on what we should be trying to achieve? The UK cannot charge a tariff because it is part of the EU. However, if the customs union is removed, the UK would come under World Trade Organisation rules, which could allow it to apply tariffs which would be on the upper limit of the European tariffs. The consequences would be dramatic for Irish food exports and right across the economy. What are the best political tactical moves to mitigate this? Have there been any talks with Teagasc’s counterparts in the UK on this? What are the soundings coming from the British food and drinks industry on this issue? I assume it would see it as less competition. Would it see tariffs from a competitive viewpoint in that it could keep out Irish exports and undercut them in certain markets, cheddar cheese being one example?

Professor Jonathan Tonge from the University of Liverpool told the British parliamentary committee examining this issue that there is the potential for a border arrangement within the island of Ireland akin to that between France and Switzerland or Norway and Sweden. If that were to happen, we would have a major issue with the North-South movement of people and goods. In 2014, there were £3.63 billion of exports from the North of Ireland into the European Union. Is there any opportunity for the European Union to look positively at retaining the North of Ireland within the European Union? Is that a bargaining position the Government should be looking at to safeguard the common arrangements we already have?

It would certainly assist in the free movement of goods. If I were to drive home this evening post-Brexit, I would be asked for a passport or driving licence at the Border at Lifford. I would be asked exiting Lifford as well. Not only would this affect travel arrangements, but it would also have major implications for milk or food products going from Dublin to Donegal, for example. Has any work been done on this at official level or at Teagasc's level with its counterparts in the UK? Do the witnesses have any suggestions as to recommendations the committee could make in this regard in terms of the political bargaining or negotiations which will take place over the coming weeks and months?