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24th Sep 2021

Taoiseach “concerned” about Brexit affecting Christmas deliveries to Ireland

Stephen Porzio

“I think the fallout has yet to come in terms of Brexit.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he is “concerned” about Brexit affecting Christmas deliveries to Ireland.

The Taoiseach made the comments as the UK is suffering from supply chain issues due to a truck driver shortage.

While in New York, Martin was asked if he was concerned that these issues could have a knock-on effect in Ireland, particularly in the lead-up to Christmas.

In response, he said: “I am indeed. I’ve been concerned for a long time in relation to Brexit. I think Covid has masked a lot of the issues around Brexit.”

While the Taoiseach stated that Ireland has “managed to weather some of the storm” on account of our preparation and our opening of links to Europe, he said that Irish small and medium-sized enterprises are finding the lead times for getting goods into the country now much longer than before Brexit.

“SMEs… within Britain are finding it difficult in terms of accessing the European market,” he added.

“I think the fallout has yet to come in terms of Brexit and I think… if we could take the politics away from it, I think everybody, including the UK, needs to reflect on how it’s working.”

Main image via Julien Behal/Rollingnews.ie

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