Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I absolutely understand all the sensitivities on the potential location of checks. This is the very reason why we are standing by the need for the backstop and standing over the principle of regulatory alignment. As the Deputy knows well, the way we can ensure that all our commitments to the Good Friday Agreement, to the need for frictionless trade on the island of Ireland and to our membership of the Single Market can be reconciled is through the principle of regulatory alignment as an insurance policy. That is why we have stood by this principle for two and a half years. To be fair, the Deputy and his party have understood this.

On whether I have made any decisions on the number of checkpoints or on hiring staff for them, the answer is "No". I have not done so because work and engagement with the Commission on the area is still ongoing and we are deeply mindful of the sensitivity to which the Deputy refers. I am deeply aware of the need to be very careful in this area. I reiterate that this is why the backstop is so important and why the principle of regulatory alignment is the answer to the Deputy's questions in the long run. The reason we are even considering this is that at some point, we need to be able to give assurance that the manufactured goods being made in Donegal, which are being sold elsewhere in Europe, are being made in Donegal.

Ultimately, this is about how we can protect jobs and investment in Ireland. We wholly appreciate the sensitivity around this, which is why the backstop and regulatory alignment is critical and why so much work is being undertaken on it.