Deputy Charlie McConalogue has responded to the plans to introduce new arrangements for the border and to impose tariffs on products being exported from the Republic to the United Kingdom.
The Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Agriculture said this plan will have massive ramifications on the Republic’s Agri-food sector if allowed to be introduced.
“I agree with the President of the IFA when he described the plans as “absolutely disastrous”.
“I sincerely hope that this is a provocative attempt to persuade MPs to vote against a no deal scenario when they are asked over the next 24 hours in Westminster.
“The EU will obviously have to respond to the plans to allow goods to travel freely between the Republic and Northern Ireland in the short term and the Irish government will have to elaborate on their own plans to respond to this plan. The uncertainty is causing massive anxiety with businesses both North and South and will cost jobs soon if not sorted out.
He referred to a claim by the Taoiseach stated last week that Ireland is the most prepared country in Europe when it comes to Brexit.
“He also promised to give us the latest figures for the levels of preparedness amongst business which go beyond the number of inquiries made.
“The government needs to publish these figures and needs to outline immediately the full details on levels of preparedness.
“We were previously told that the government has studied in detail the implications of different scenarios. The government should, without delay, publish the likely impact of these new tariffs and put a plan in place to respond,” concluded Deputy McConalogue.