Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, there is no backsliding on the backstop from us. In terms of the transition period, we want it to run until the end of 2020, which means that no changes would take effect until January 2021. There will be changes, however, under our central case scenario which is based on a successful negotiation of a withdrawal agreement with a transition period and a backstop. It will still be the case that the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union and with it the Single Market and the customs union. Therefore, as things stand, we are planning for a situation in 2021 where there will need to be east-west checks and controls, though not between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We are making those preparations in our ports and airports now. We confirmed in Derrynane in July that we would hire 1,000 additional staff. That will happen on a phased basis.

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