Mr. Paul Savage:

My thanks to Mr. Drennan for those points. The first point is on the submission of declarations. As we know, there are requirements similar to what is happening on the customs side relating to Union customs code requirements that have to be complied with. The same applies on the SPS checks side in terms of agrifood goods. There is a requirement to submit declarations for products coming in that have to be potentially checked in the port as they come through. I will not comment in detail on how many documents are uploaded or how many checks are carried out. I will leave that to Ms Sheridan. She will come back on the detail relating to the information and data being supplied.

Another point was mentioned about easements. It was said no easements are available in Dublin while they are available in Belfast. The easement is being granted in the context of the overall agreement and the implementation of the protocol. The easement relates to the movement of goods that are going directly from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. These goods are going directly into retail outlets in Northern Ireland. There are clear restrictions on how that easement works and the conditions attaching to it. For example, they have to go directly to supermarket outlets in Northern Ireland. They have to be labelled as such and the label must state they are not for consumption outside Northern Ireland. They have to move as part of a dedicated channel or routing to those areas. That is the purpose of the easement being granted in that case.

In a more general sense, other products coming in that are not specifically destined for Northern Ireland have the same checks applied to them as are applied in Dublin Port or Rosslare Europort on products coming from Great Britain. That should clarify the point on easements.

More generally, from our perspective it is very much as Mr. Harrahill mentioned in terms of the room for manoeuvre as far as compliance with the Union customs code is concerned. We have to comply with EU regulations on the implementation of SPS controls. Our room for manoeuvre is limited and we have to comply. A certain flexibility is built in for member states in applying a risk-based approach to the nature of the controls that have to be carried out. We apply this approach where we can, but we have a responsibility to operate the controls properly and to maintain the integrity of the Single Market. Our objective at all times is to do so in a way that continues to facilitate trade. We will continue to do that, including through engagement with hauliers and others where we have experienced difficulties in the submission of documents and otherwise.

A question on the submission of documents was raised as well. Mr. Drennan referred to the number of uploads or documents that have to be submitted in the case of SPS checks. I will ask Ms Sheridan to explain a little more on that point.