Ireland Ramps Up Plans For No-Deal Brexit

The Irish Government has published its Brexit contingency plan, in which it prioritised a plan for a no-deal Brexit.

The document is over 130 pages long and outlines a strategy for 19 Government sectors, to be prepared for the eventuality that the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 without securing a withdrawal deal.

As part of the preparations, Dublin Port is creating parking spaces for hundreds of trucks from the UK awaiting inspection as they cross the border from Northern Ireland.

Dozens more bays to carry out checks will be created in a bid to avoid halting mainstream traffic.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney confirmed that the country is accelerating its planning efforts for the possibility, despite remaining committed to securing a negotiated outcome.

The report said: "For Ireland, a no-deal Brexit would potentially involve severe macroeconomic, trade and sectoral impacts.

"Grappling with the enormous range of impacts both in the immediate short term and in the longer term will involve difficult and significant choices of a practical, strategic and political nature."

The application of World Trade Organisation tariffs, which would be resorted to without a deal, would affect supply chains and the cost of imports from the UK to the Republic.

Areas covered by the plans include agriculture, shipping, security, students and the Common Travel Area.

Particular pressures on agri-food, fisheries, aviation, road transport, retail, wholesale business and electrical machinery are anticipated.

The economic impact is also likely to be greater in certain regions, especially near the border with Northern Ireland, and on smaller businesses that rely on cross-border trade.

The document said: "A no-deal Brexit would have negative consequences for Irish growth, both in the short and long run.

"It would be an exceptional economic event which would be met with exceptional measures to support the continued operation of the Irish economy and our international trading links."

Gaps in policing and justice arrangements with Northern Ireland are also expected, including the European Arrest Warrant which allows for the speedy extradition of suspects.

The strategy added that the movement of people and businesses out of the UK could present economic opportunities but risked placing strain on infrastructure.



(JG/CM)