Ms Paula Barry Walsh:

I will deal with the Senator's question in the context of animal risk. It is already obligatory in intra-community trade to certify animals, whether they are being moved between the North and the South or whether they are going to or coming from the UK mainland. Any animal coming here will be certified. The reason for certification is protection of animal health and welfare, as well as protection of public health in the context of any transmissible disease. For now Ireland is able to trade freely with Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I cannot speculate about the arrangements after Brexit, but one can say without speculating too much that the risk will largely be the same and that, if certification will be a requirement, it is likely that Ireland will continue to be able to provide it. Equally, Ireland will have to ensure it will be able to offer its own guarantees on animal health and welfare. I cannot speculate about what will happen after Brexit, but the current situation gives good reason to believe there will be no risk.