Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for State and thank her for her contribution and ongoing good work. The 80%, approximately, of our exports which go to continental Europe travel through Britain via Dover to Calais. What arrangements, if any, will be made in the event that there is no deal? Will lorries have their own lane to pass through, given that it looks like there could be a back-up of British trucks well up the road towards London? Some of the goods being transported will be perishable and even if we were to develop a sea route, the journey to France would take much longer. We do not have the ferries necessary to handle them. That traffic will have to continue to travel through Britain. As such, it will be very important to ensure it will have its own arrangements.

I agree with Senator Craughwell that a Border poll would be dangerous and is years away. The matter is governed by the Good Friday Agreement. I ask the Minister of State to comment on the issue. My understanding is the British Government is very firm in its view on the Agreement and does not propose to set it aside. It is standing over it very firmly. Will the Minister of State comment on the matter?

What does the Minister of State think of the possibility of an extension of the 29 March deadline?