John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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147. To ask the Minister for Finance the preparations the Revenue Commissioners have in place for the potential ending of the customs union; and if there is an estimation of the cost of establishing customs and excise surveillance along the Border. [5338/17]

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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158. To ask the Minister for Finance the way the Government plans to deal with a potential customs border if Northern Ireland is not part of the EU customs territory after the UK exits the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6314/17]

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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173. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners have any preparations in place for the potential ending of the custom union; if there has been an estimate made of the cost of establishing customs and surveillance along the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5523/17]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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177. To ask the Minister for Finance the preparations the Revenue Commissioners are making for Brexit and the possibility that the customs union will be ended; the cost of implementing customs and excise border surveillance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5868/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 147, 158, 173 and 177 together.

The Government's position is very clear in that we want the closest possible trading relationship with the UK.  As articulated by the Taoiseach, any manifestation of a hard border would have very negative consequences. In that regard a key priority is to ensure the continued free flow of trade on the island and the need to avoid a hard border.

The United Kingdom has not yet issued formal notification of its intention to leave the EU and it is clear that the discussions that will follow that notification will be complex. In that context, it is not possible to provide any meaningful estimation of potential costs associated with any arrangements that may prove necessary. I am informed by Revenue that they are engaged in research into the legal and practical implications of a range of scenarios, in order to support Ireland's stated objectives, and to ensure that the cost to Irish trade and economy will be minimised whatever the outcome of negotiations.