Imposition of customs controls will increase costs on Irish goods

​                       - Trade tariffs will push up costs for Irish trading companies -

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Darragh O’Brien TD has warned that any form of customs controls on the island of Ireland will create additional costs for export and import companies here in Ireland and abroad.


His comments come following confirmation from the UK Brexit Secretary David Davis that the British Government is working towards implementing an ‘invisible customs border’ between Ireland and the UK before the completion of Brexit in March 2019.


This would see technology used to monitor the transit of vehicles between Ireland and the UK such as vehicle tagging, number plate recognition and other schemes aimed at monitoring traffic flow across the border.

““Trade between Ireland and Britain currently amounts to over €1 billion per week in goods and services which underlines the importance of the relationship between the two countries. A customs border, no matter how “invisible” will still have an impact on the movement of goods between the EU and UK,” explained the Dublin based TD.


“Even if the border is monitored by technology rather than personnel there will still be additional costs and time delays for import and export companies.

“The Government’s silence on this issue is worrying and I would urge Minister Coveney and his cabinet colleagues not to concede to the proposal put forward by the British Government, so early on in the discussions. 


He added, “Businesses, particularly in the export industry, need swift, decisive and confident leadership from our government and State agencies. Contingency plans for business sectors, up to and including transitional aid measures, affected by the Brexit decision need to be urgently outlined. These plans are critical for Irish business


“The fast, efficient and low-cost movement of a fully liberalised freight and aviation market is essential to the Irish economy and needs to be protected. The Government must emphasise the importance of a special arrangement for Ireland to ensure the smooth transfer of Irish cargo to other countries in the EU via the UK landbridge. 


“Any attempts to impose new tariffs or additional costs for companies exporting or importing will have a major impact on our economy and must be strongly opposed at Government and EU level”.