Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to point out in regard to the agrifood trade between Ireland and the UK that we export approximately €4.8 billion worth of product to the UK and, in return, we purchase €3.7 billion worth of product, which is 46% of our total food imports from the UK. Therefore, there is a mutual trading arrangement of almost €9 billion.

With regard to the specific query, I have been speaking to members of staff at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who have been to countries such as Lithuania, which has an arrangement with Belarus whereby product goes to Lithuania and back to Belarus and is treated as if it never left the country. If we take the import of flowers to this country from the Netherlands on a daily basis over a land bridge, it is very exposed to the same scenario outlined by the Deputy. This is why we are engaging with countries which are likely to be the most impacted by Brexit, to build up strategic alliances with those nations.

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