Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It was made clear after my meeting with the Prime Minister in Downing Street that we did not want a return to having a hard border and that we did not want to see an end to the common travel area, which has been in place since 1922. It worked well when the two countries were outside the European Union and has worked well with both inside it. It has been untested with one and one out. There is a strong belief we can retain it. On not having a hard border, we have made it clear that we do not want to see a return to customs posts in the traditional manner that led to all sorts of incident, including smuggling and much more serious life and death matters, as Deputy is well aware.

The Deputy asked if we had an agreement with the British Government on the use of Irish ports. We do not have an agreement because we do not yet know whether the British Government is looking for a hard exit from the customs union and the Single Market and controls at its own borders or something else. We must wait until such time as it decides to say what it is looking for. Ireland will remain a member of the European Union. If, for instance, the United Kingdom removes itself from the customs union, it will lead to a serious challenge in terms of the imposition tariffs by the World Trade Organization. If it removes itself from the Single Market and tries to control its own borders, it will not have access to the Single Market without the freedom of movement of people. These are all challenges. I hope that answers the Deputy's question. If he has taken it down to be used in evidence against me, he can use it again.

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