Lighttouchborder aBrexitpriority
AVOIDING check points or any physical infrastructure on the border between Ireland north and south is the UK government’s number one priority when negotiating post-Brexit arrangements for its only land frontier with the EU, it emerged last week.
In what was perhaps the clearest signal so far on how the border north of Dundalk, and across to Donegal, might operate after Britain leaves the EU in 2019, it was revealed in the new ‘position paper’ from the British government’s Department for Exiting the European Union that the UK hopes for no customs implications at all on the Irish border if the UK and EU can strike an ambitious future partnership.
Following the publication of the paperNorthern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire said the ‘unique situation’ on the island of Ireland has been reflected within it.
He said the document set out two main proposals - for customs arrangements and arrangements for the regulation of agrifood products.
He added that Common Travel Area has existed since the 1920s and there is broad consensus that this should be maintained.
The position paper also highlighted the main aim of avoiding a return to the paramilitary violence and terrorism of the past as crucial.
But there was scepticism locally as to how plans for a ‘ light touch’ border will actually be implemented.
Louth TD Declan Breathnach told the Argus: ‘My immediate reaction to latest British Brexit proposal can be summed up in the following ‘It will take four years to fix Big Ben yet Britain thinks it can have a unique Brexit in 18 months.’
‘Not alone do they believe in the above, and not alone do they want their cake and eat it they think that they have the only recipe for that cake, want to produce the ingredient of their own , prepare and bake it in their own bakery and expect the 27 other EU countries to consume it or take the crumbs from their table.’
The Louth deputy added: Many of the proposals contained in this document are highly aspirational but are ultimately unworkable as the British Government is continuing to stick my its demand that the freedom of movement of EU citizens must end in May 2019. The British Government has committed to providing an ‘invisible border’, but it knows too well that this is impossible to deliver on so long as it sticks by its demands to end the freedom of movement of EU citizens.
‘ The British Government need to face up to their obligation on citizens rights and equality in their exit bill and but also the Working and integrity of the Good Friday agreement. In addition ensuring that their actions in no way hinders the fragile peace on these islands.’
The Louth TD called on the British Prime Minister to visit the border to see first hand the implications Brexit will have.
‘ Therese May needs to categorically accept the need to step up to the plate in providing the matching funding to both the peace programme funding and Interreg proposed projects in a post Brexit scenario.’
‘I have called in the past for the British prime minister to ‘walk the Border’ and I do so again in order to see that any attempt to solve trade or people movement with either invasive or covert technology will be viewed by communities as a return to the past and a retrograde step.’
He described the suggestion of an open border as ‘ laudable but fanciful where two jurisdictions will have to deal with varying tariffs, taxes and environmental standards in production and will create a smugglers paradise to the detriment of legitimate commerce for all on the island north and south.’
Meanwhile, ISME, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association described the proposals set out in the position paper as ‘aspirational.’
CEO of ISME, Neil MCDonnell said: ‘While third party reaction to the Customs paper has been negative, we should remember that this represents an opening negotiating position only. It does not reflect what the British government seriously considers to be deliverable in the final exit arrangements. The Customs document concedes that it represents UK Government ‘ thinking’ and ‘aspirations.’
He added: ‘An interesting objective from Ireland’s position as a food exporter is the UK’s determination to ‘ maintain our high standards for consumers, employees, the environment, and animal welfare.’ If followed through, this would likely preclude meat imports from South America and the USA.’
He added: ‘ The aspiration that people and businesses should only have to adjust ‘once’ to a new customs arrangement after an ‘interim period’ is also contradictory. By definition, therefore, the measures that apply to business and people in March 2019 must remain as they are now until we reach the end of the ‘ interim period.’ Otherwise, everyone will have to adjust twice. Logically, the UK could not exit the Customs Union until the conclusion of this process.
To be fair, the UK Government acknowledges its position on Customs is ‘innovative and untested.’ This is rather an understatement, since the proposed arrangements would not merely affect the other 27 member states, but would almost certainly affect the trading arrangements underpinning the EEA, EFTA, the Customs Union, and possibly the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada (CETA).