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16th Jan 2019

Shane Ross says he expects border checks if there’s a no-deal Brexit

Alan Loughnane

border checks

Simon Coveney disagreed.

There may be border checks on goods crossing the Irish border if there’s a no-deal Brexit, according to Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross.

According to the BBC, Ross was asked about a situation where a lorry carrying food produce from Scotland arrived at the Irish border and would there be any checks on this vehicle.

He said: “I would anticipate that there would be checks.”

However, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney was quick to intervene and say that there would be no checks but Ireland would face some difficult decisions with the EU on preserving the Single Market.

Ross’s comments come on the back of Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement being defeated in the House of Commons by the overwhelming margin of 202 to 432.

The vote was a record defeat for a government motion in the history of parliamentary politics in the United Kingdom.

Coveney also said Ireland would not block any request by the UK to delay Brexit but said that a plan would need to be put in place.

This stance mirrors a statement issued by the Irish government following Tuesday night’s vote in the House of Commons which said it wanted the UK to set out how they will move forward.

The statement said: “The Government urges the UK to set out how it proposes to move forward… Regrettably, the outcome of tonight’s vote increases the risk of disorderly Brexit. It is not too late to avoid this outcome and we call on the UK to set out how it proposes to resolve this impasse as a matter of urgency.”