Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Many of the questions I had intended to ask have been covered. I was going to ask the Minister if he had planned to deal with a scenario where Britain would no longer be part of the Open Skies agreement. I listened to his response in which he said there should be an agreement between Ireland and the other member states, but is that as far as it has got, as it would have serious implications for us. Has nothing definitive yet been worked out? To whom did the Minister, his Department or the Government speak about the matter?

I note that the ports issue has been covered, but what plan does the Minister have for ports, given that the landbridge route is through Britain? If the worst comes to the worst, capacity-wise, will ports be capable of dealing with it and does the Minister have plans to upgrade them? Has the issue been put on the agenda?

I dearly hope there will not be a return to a position where I will see a customs post in my constituency. What the Minister said was curious because the issue was not included in his written correspondence. He made reference to a reassurance that if there were customs posts, they would involve the use of the highest technology and that delays would be minimised. Who was it who said that? Was the Government or the Department prepared to accept something like that, given the magnitude of what is at stake, that if customs posts were reinstated, we would need not to worry as they would involve the use of the highest technology and that delays would be minimised? I am very interested in hearing the Minister expand on that issue.