Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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920. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all relevant information and communications technology infrastructure will be in place at all ports and airports by 29 March 2019 in the event of a no-deal Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1131/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Additional customs, agriculture and health controls will be required for trade with the UK once the UK leaves the EU.

The responsibility for information and communications technology infrastructure underpinning these controls in ports and airports lies with departments and agencies responsible for those controls.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine is responsible for regulation of the agriculture, fisheries, and food industries and monitoring and controlling aspects of food safety through national and EU legislation. I am advised that Department has established a project team to coordinate the identification and delivery of ICT Infrastructure and systems to support the additional requirements of staff engaged in control processes in Dublin Port and Dublin Airport, and other relevant locations in the event of an orderly, or disorderly Brexit. This team is in the process of sourcing and configuring additional ICT Equipment and enhancing existing software systems to support new requirements.

That Department is also working closely with OPW, Government Networks and a number of Telecom providers to ensure there is adequate network connectivity in place. Obviously the delivery timelines in the event of a disorderly Brexit are extremely challenging and I understand the officials in that Department are working with the greatest urgency to ensure the required ICT services are in place by 29th March.

As part of their preparations for Brexit, I am advised by Revenue that priority has been given to upgrading relevant IT systems to have the most advanced systems possible to support and facilitate smooth and efficient trade flows in a post-Brexit environment. Revenue has advised that performance testing is at an advanced stage and based on testing and the work completed to date, Revenue is confident that their various IT systems will support the expected additional workload arising from Brexit. In the event of a no-deal scenario and if required, the upgrades and enhancements to the systems will be ready for March 2019.

To facilitate import controls by the Environmental Health Service at Dublin Airport, Dublin Port and Rosslare Port, the HSE is currently making every effort to ensure that the necessary information and communications technology infrastructure will be in place by 29th March 2019.

Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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921. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans or actions to mitigate against the delays to the land bridge that are anticipated in the event of a no-deal Brexit scenario; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1132/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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A substantial proportion of Ireland’s exports and imports are transported by truck on Roll-on/Roll-Off ferries to/from the UK for direct UK trade, and onwards via the road and ports network in the UK to EU ports - mainly the port of Calais.This trade is at present relatively frictionless as it is all within the Single Market. However, when the UK leaves the EU, there is concern that the additional customs, agriculture and health controls required for trade with a third country could significantly disrupt our transport connectivity to the UK, and via the UK, to our international markets.

The main pinch-points likely to affect Irish businesses are at Dublin and Rosslare ports, the Port of Holyhead, and the Dover-Calais link. This latter route is favoured by many importers and exporters seeking to transport goods that are perishable or time sensitiveon the quickest and most reliable route available. Currently, OPW and other relevant Departments are working to establish the required controls at Dublin port, Rosslare port and Dublin Airport for both a central case and a no-deal scenario.

A major concern is also the impact on the Dover – Calais link. Congestion on this link could considerably disrupt the €21 billion of Irish trade that crosses the UK landbridge and could mean that certain of our goods simply can no longer realistically reach their markets in a timely manner.

The Government's contingency action plan published in 2019 sets out the actions being taken within our ports, with the European Commission and with other similarly affected Member States. In addition, I have today briefed the Government on the existing maritime capacity for direct sailings between Ireland and continental EU ports as a potential alternative route for trade currently using the landbridge.