Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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55. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current position in regard to the Brexit negotiations, with particular reference to the issues of most sensitive importance to this country in terms of readily available unimpeded transport facilities to European markets; the extent to which any agreement has been reached between the EU and the UK with adequate protection for Irish and European interests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38274/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland is working, as a Member of the EU27, to ensure that any Future Relationship agreement between the EU and the UK in the area of transport connectivity delivers to the full ambition of the EU’s negotiating mandate.

On road transport in particular, as an island nation and the only EU Member State whose physical connection to the Single Market has a large dependence on transit through the UK, transport issues are especially important for us. Ireland’s unique geographic position was recognised in the EU’s negotiating mandate and it is our view that it should be taken into account in any arrangements agreed in the negotiations.

Workable road transport arrangements are important not only because of our unique geographic situation but also because of the importance of such arrangements to the all-island economy.

We must however also be clear that what is possible to achieve in this area will also be determined by the UK’s level of ambition and respect for the EU’s red lines.

Post transition, operators will still be able to move goods via the Landbridge but the way they use the Landbridge will change. This includes undertaking a number of new administrative steps in Ireland, Great Britain and at the port of re-entry. Details of these new steps can be found on our website - GOV.IE/Brexit.

Ireland has undertaken substantial engagements at political and official level across the EU to ensure EU goods moving under transit are not subject to additional and unnecessary checks and controls. In particular, we have worked with our French, Belgian and Dutch counterparts. The overarching aim has been to ensure that, once the correct paperwork is in place, the necessary controls are completed and transit goods should be “green-lighted” to leave the Port. Physical checks will only be necessary where the authorities suspect non-compliance. It is therefore vital that operators undertake all the necessary steps.

The process for moving goods on direct routes between Ireland and other EU Member States will not be subject to any new procedures. Additional capacity on direct routes between Ireland and the EU has been added throughout 2020, including Cork – Zeebrugge, Dublin – Santander, Waterford – Rotterdam, Rosslare – Bilbao and Rosslare – Roscoff, and there will be further increases in capacity in 2021. The assessment of the Department of Transport and the Irish Maritime Development Office, which issued an updated analysis on capacity on direct maritime routes to Continental Europe in October, is that there is sufficient capacity available on direct routes to accommodate displaced Landbridge traffic. Traders should consider switching to these routes ahead of the end of the transition period to avoid the need to implement new procedures, as well as to avoid the likely delays and blockages at UK ports.