Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the witness for the presentation. The witness raised a couple of issues in his presentation that I wish to return to. He mentioned the standards we have here and the standards in Britain. Many people are saying that when Britain leaves, if it wants to export its goods to the EU, it will also have to maintain the standards the EU have. The campaign for Brexit was very much based on the rhetoric of getting rid of all the red tape, tossing away Europe and not having to comply with all of its standards. If it tosses away the standards, Britain will only be able to trade with itself. Therefore, I believe the argument that was put at that time does not hold water.

The witness spoke about the free trade agreements and the customs union, which is bigger than the EU, and involves Turkey, the Isle of Man, and many other countries, was a stepping stone towards the EU. It is almost like the Single Market, or the common market as we first called it in the 1970s. That is effectively what the customs union is. To say that the UK is going to step outside of that union seems an almost incredible step to take, beyond even what was being demanded. Most people said that Brexit was about leaving the EU, but now they are leaving the customs union as well. I do not understand what logical benefit the British Prime Minister can bring to the table for the British people by leaving the customs union. Perhaps the witness can enlighten us on that.