Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Chairman for the opportunity to address the committee. It is the first occasion. I thank the witnesses for the three presentations. Coming from a Border county, I note that the movement of trade has the potential to change the dynamics not just across the country but in the Border area. I am certainly concerned about how any restriction or slowing down of movement would impact on an all-island basis in particular in relation to the peace process. I will be speaking once and asking a series of questions if that is all right.

It was stated that the Revenue was not looking at any additional sites for customs posts. Obviously, the Revenue still has quite a number of properties along the Border in its ownership. I refer to Carrickcarnon and I am sure there are many other places. Does the Revenue intend to use those sites as part of whatever scenario it is looking at? I respect the fact that we are in a vacuum and that there is a certain uncertainty. I hope the witnesses will not mind me using the pun that we do not have much to declare currently because we are all in that vacuum as to what the solution will be. We spoke to senior officials at European level about Brexit and they were quite sceptical of an IT solution. Can the witnesses comment on that and whether the IT solution referred to as being innovative could work? The word "smuggling" was mentioned once and I mention it a second time. In its most recent report, Grant Thornton indicated clearly that of the order of €4.23 million was lost to the Exchequer annually. Will that increase on the basis of whatever arrangements are put in place?

I have not once but twice in recent times witnessed gardaí, Revenue officials and other arms of the State diverting traffic on the M1 motorway. What is that intended to achieve and is it envisaged that type of thing will continue? There are 38 Border crossings in Louth and I understand that nationally there are of the order of 400. Ireland, as a non-contentious border country, probably has more crossings than there are on the eastern border of Europe. How movement can be controlled is a mystery to me. The issue of food integrity was mentioned. Surely, customs will not be able to control it if there is a British policy of cheap food. I am long enough around the Border to know and perhaps the Revenue should consult more of us there about the potential for disaster, in particular in relation to the movement of livestock and food integrity. All it will take is one piece of steak sold outside the customs union in Newry to end up in Dundalk for us to have a major problem. Can the witnesses comment on that?