Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the run-up to the introduction of import controls, all relevant Departments engaged directly with affected Irish stakeholders, especially in the agrifood, transport, ferry and port sectors through webinars, meetings, training and online briefing materials. Government veterinary inspection services, in particular the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, made extensive preparations to facilitate the increase in demand for export health certificates. This included intensive engagement by local veterinary supervisory teams with individual food businesses exporting to GB. We had specific engagements with the Irish Exporters Association and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation. I chaired a meeting of the Brexit stakeholder forum in January, which focused on the new UK requirements. In addition, the Government ran extensive communications on radio and in print and a social media campaign throughout December and January to make sure all affected traders in Ireland were aware of the new UK requirements.

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