Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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203. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of meetings customs officials have had with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the context of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26551/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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204. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of potential crossing points that have been identified on the border with Northern Ireland; if customs officials have conducted a survey of potential crossing points on the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26552/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.

The Government’s position in relation to the border with Northern Ireland in the context of Brexit is very clear and has been articulated by the Taoiseach on several occasions.  Continued freedom of movement, absence of a “hard” border, and protection of the Good Friday Agreement are key objectives for the Irish Government. This is a position that is well heard and understood across the EU and is reflected in the EU's negotiating guidelines.

As set out in the guidelines, flexible and imaginative solutions will be required.

Our absolute preference is to maintain the closest possible trading relationship based on a level playing field between the UK and the EU, including Ireland.

There is a lot of negotiation yet to be done around trading arrangements and, by extension, any customs regime that might apply.

It is premature to set out detailed possible solutions, particularly when negotiations have yet to properly begin.

It is important that technical solutions do not anticipate or drive outcomes at a political level.

It is clear, however that the withdrawal of a Member State from the Union is a situation without any precedent, in either political or practical terms. That said we are looking at other border situations which may offer possible guidance on how we address the unique situation found on the island of Ireland.

The Revenue Commissioners, like all Government Agencies, are actively engaged in assessing the potential impact of Brexit and studying statistical information on 499 kilometers of border, 200+ crossings and 12 national roads to inform the full range of possibilities.  As negotiations have yet to commence it is premature to presume the outcome and practical implications of Brexit. 

In relation to the Deputy’s questions, it would be premature for the Revenue Commissioners to identify locations for specific crossing points on or near the border with Northern Ireland in the context of post-Brexit arrangements.  The Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners recently stated at his appearance at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach that ‘.. the operation of customs post Brexit and the resulting impact on business will be defined to a great extent by the terms of the Brexit agreement...’  He affirmed that Revenue is not looking for sites for customs posts.

Since the UK’s Brexit referendum, officers of the Revenue Commissioners have held 29 high-level and stakeholder engagements.  Customs officials have not met with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) in relation to Brexit.