Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and ask him to set out, in respect of the possibility of the UK leaving the customs union and the fact that World Trade Organization, WTO, terms of trade would then apply, what steps are being taken by way of preparation by his Department and the Revenue Commissioners for that possible scenario, which none of us wants to see.

We are all very conscious of the impact a hard Brexit would have on certain sectors of the Irish economy. The impact would be most acute in many respects across the regions, particularly where agrifood is such an important part of the local domestic economy. We are all working towards avoiding the cliff-edge scenario. It remains unlikely. The President of the Commission was here saying it was a possibility. The Taoiseach has openly talked about it. We need to confront what could become the reality even though none of us wants to see it. Will the Minister address the issue of the preparations being made in respect of customs, World Trade Organisation terms of trade, and what that would mean in practice?

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