Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government has been consistent and clear in saying that we will not accept a hard border on this island. The EU and UK both accept that avoiding a hard border is essential. This has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the Prime Minister and the EU. If the withdrawal agreement does not enter into force, our objective will, of course, be more difficult to achieve. We are not planning for a hard border. Ireland and the EU have a clear responsibility for and economic interest in the protection of the Single Market and the customs union. The UK has World Trade Organisation responsibilities. There are going to be checks on the ports and at the airports. We have recruited over 400 customs officials and that continues. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has stepped up its recruitment of additional staff for SPS checks and such things. At the end of the day, we have to protect the integrity of the EU customs union and the Single Market.

See this speech in context