Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. First, I thank all of the Deputies who participated in the debate for their interest and contributions on this very important topic. It is vital that all of us in this House work together to get the message out to our exporters and businesses. There are many people in each of our constituencies who will be impacted by these new UK measures. We need to ensure they are aware of the new rules and, critically, are getting ready for them.

We in Government have been working since last year to raise awareness of this upcoming deadline. We have held specific engagements will all the key sectors.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, outlined at the start of this session, has held a significant number of engagements, meetings, webinars and seminars for the agri-food sector in particular.

The Department of Transport has engaged with the ports, ferry companies and the haulage and logistics sector, which play such a vital role in supporting our supply chains. Revenue has engaged with all stakeholders in the customs area around the entry into force of the new UK customs requirements.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the State agencies, in particular Enterprise Ireland, have undertaken outreach to exporting businesses and traders. We have worked with groups such as the Irish Business Employers Confederation, IBEC, and the Irish Exporters Association to ensure all their members are taking the steps they need to get ready.

We launched an advertising campaign last year, running on national, regional and local radio, in print, online and on social media. As a result of all of these communications and engagements, we have a good level of confidence that we have managed to reach our target audience. I believe that large and medium-sized operators in particular are aware of the new UK rules and are clearly engaged in getting ready for next week’s deadline.

We remain concerned that smaller operators may not yet be fully aware, however. This is particularly true for businesses that export only small volumes or only on an irregular basis to Britain. We are therefore continuing to ramp up our awareness raising efforts this week and into next to ensure that everyone who is potentially impacted is made aware.

Overall, the feedback is that Irish businesses are well on their way to being ready for 31 January. Impacted businesses on the agri-food side are clearly in the process of engaging with their relevant supervisory authorities to make sure that they have arrangements in place to get the certification required. Putting in place those arrangements for certification by a veterinary health inspector has required an enormous effort by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as well as the other supervisory authorities, including the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency, the HSE and local authorities. As the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, has set out, these new UK requirements are a significant change for Irish exporters. They will be challenging, in particular for those in the agri-food sector. There are now many new steps to be undertaken prior to goods from Ireland entering Britain. In particular, the certification process will take time and will require close co-operation and co-ordination between the producer, the veterinary health inspector, as well as the British importer, the haulier, the ferry company and all others involved in the supply chain.

Businesses will have to examine their business models and adapt accordingly. This will be easier for some than for others. What is clear is that those who have already engaged and taken the necessary steps to get ready for 31 January will be in a good position to ensure continued smooth flow of trade with Britain.

The Government has engaged extensively with the British authorities and agencies on their new requirements. We have continually sought the necessary detail and clarity from the UK authorities so that Irish businesses can prepare fully. I am glad to report that the UK authorities are very committed to the continued smooth flow of trade from Ireland throughout the 31 January period and into the future.

Of course, Ireland remains an important source of many products, particularly food products for Britain. The Irish meat sector is particularly important to Britain, for example. I have no doubt, therefore, that the UK authorities will ensure that their systems and processes are ready for the transition to the new requirements starting on 31 January.

We are engaged with port and shipping companies around the practical implementation of these new UK rules next week. We have had excellent engagement with the sector. Our key message to exporters is to only let their goods leave the factory or processing plant once they are sure they have met all the necessary UK requirements. In this way, we can ensure continued smooth traffic through our ports on 31 January. We, of course, have contingency plans in place should there be any issues in the ports. We are confident, however, that these will not be required and that everyone along the supply chain will take the steps necessary to get ready for 31 January. This is why today, Deputies, I repeat the call that the Government has been making to urge all Irish businesses to examine the new UK rules and see what they need to do. It is not too late to get ready. Businesses should today read up on the new UK rules, pick up the phone to their British importers, talk to their transport or logistics agent as well as to their shipping company. Anyone who thinks they will need an export health certificate should immediately contact their supervisory authority if they have not done so already.

There is no doubt these new UK requirements are a significant change. They are the first in a number of milestones, as the UK plans on introducing further controls in phases later this year.

Irish businesses have weathered the turbulence of Brexit remarkably well to date. Through significant effort and preparation, they successfully came through the challenges and uncertainties of the first phase of Brexit four years ago, in January 2021. Without underplaying the significance of this next phase, I am optimistic that we can also weather this latest Brexit challenge.

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