Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As we move towards the end of the Brexit transition period, there is a lot of engagement happening at a cross-departmental level, incorporating Dublin Port, the Office of Public Works, Revenue and my Department, to ensure we are as well prepared as possible. A huge amount of work has gone into this over the past number of years. There have been many campaigns aimed at preparing businesses, including hauliers, for customs checks. I thank the haulage industry representatives for their ongoing engagement with my Department. We know that the situation from 1 January will not be easy and there will be delays at the UK land bridge. That is why our ACT Now and Prepare to Switch campaign is asking importers and exporters to assess their needs in respect of the direct routes to the Continent, communicate with the shipping industry and trial alternative routes in advance of 1 January. I have been engaging as well with the Minister of State with responsibility for trade, Deputy Troy, in calling for businesses to prepare in the two months remaining before the start of the new year.

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