Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will take the questions one by one. Deputy Fitzpatrick is correct that the decision on Brexit was not taken by Ireland and it is not one we would take voluntarily. The decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union has landed us in a fair number of negatives. There is no point in arguing that Brexit has many positives which are immediately apparent, although it is fashionable to try to find some. On the whole, particularly in the transport sector, Brexit is a negative. We are seeking to protect our interests and ensure the minimum amount of change from the status quo in the negotiations. In that sense, it is difficult to find positives.

There will be some benefits as UK companies or companies from elsewhere relocate to Ireland. This may deliver benefits for the financial services and insurance sectors as companies decide they do not want to be located in the UK. IDA Ireland and other bodies have targeted companies, including financial institutions, in an effort to have them locate here. Overseas and multinational companies may have taken a decision to locate in Ireland because they do not want to locate in the UK for obvious reasons. We have linguistic advantages as Ireland will soon be the only English speaking country in the European Union. That is a plus but when I look for pluses, I am clutching at straws to some extent.

Most of our energy post-Brexit is focused on protecting the interests that are threatened by Britain leaving the EU, man of which the Deputy eloquently identified. We are also focused on shielding the country from the unknown, which is possibly the most frightening aspect of Brexit. I refer in particular to aviation, an area the Deputy highlighted. This issue is extremely alarming and we must rapidly take measures to ensure the sector is not affected in the way that has been outlined.

In terms of offering the Deputy comfort a substantial amount of work is being done on the issue of a hard Border and the dangers it presents. Alternatives are being considered and officials have been examining what has been done in other countries such as Sweden and Norway. Political decisions and technology will move together. We hope that if Britain leaves the customs union, as I assume it will, and Border controls are introduced, the most modern technology will be implemented to ensure a minimum of disruption and disturbance for those crossing the Border, whether tourists, traders, freight and so on. It is intended that we have a smooth operation of the Border, particularly in County Louth, Deputy Fitzpatrick's home area, and similar areas. It is unthinkable that we would return to the days of queues at the Border because that would disrupt the frenzied cross-Border activity that takes place. I say with some confidence, although I do not wish to give a hostage to fortune, that the research being done on this issue will ensure that if Border controls are introduced and customs or other delays become necessary, this will be done in the most sophisticated way possible. All the indications are that the technology will follow the political decisions and it will be fairly sophisticated. I hope I have given the Deputy some comfort on that issue.

The Deputy asked for an update on the position regarding the airlines. The most honest update I can give is that this is the most pressing, acute and worrying problem for Ireland in view of Brexit because of the open skies agreements and the EU aviation market. If Britain were to withdraw from the European Union, it would, on the same day, leave the EU aviation market and we must be prepared for this eventuality. The imperative is to negotiate a new agreement with new rules between the 27 member states, of which Ireland is one, and the United Kingdom. It will not be a bilateral arrangement between Ireland and the UK. It would be unacceptable if that were not to happen. From my discussions with others in the aviation industry, the intention is to have transitional arrangements after the UK withdraws from the EU. I hope these will be as close as possible to the current arrangements.