Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, in theory absolutely. I want to point out that this is really an issue that has been set out and there is a mechanism that would prevent getting to that stage because there are a number of ways in terms of the joint committee between the EU and the UK that would be established to bring resolution issues and adjudication procedures to ensure that it hopefully never gets to that stage. Obviously, we have to plan for that eventuality where there is a variant with the Single Market and it adversely impacts, in the view of the MLAs of Northern Ireland, significantly on the citizens that mechanism could then potentially be employed. I know significant talks are under way with the UK Prime Minister to flesh out how that would work exactly. We are in close contact and awaiting those talks to bear fruit at the moment.

As for east-west trade and the final sanitary and phytosanitary, SPS, checks for the UK and the operationalisation of their infrastructure, it is very clear that the initial operational checks have to be in place by July this year, with a two-year window for final completion. The Deputy rightly articulately that freight has ballooned out through Rosslare going on to the Continent. This is something we will continue to engage with the UK authorities on in terms of their obligation to provide the significant checks that would be required for goods that are potentially going to the Single Market. It is something that our colleagues right across Europe are watching very keenly because they have put such a premium on the Single Market and the protection of it and they value it so highly. It is something that Mr. Michel Barnier raised with me in Paris in terms of underscoring how important the Single Market and the protection of it is. The Deputy is right that we have to be very careful about the path we tread regarding this but we will keep abreast of the situation and keep in touch with the committee as well.