Clare’s Senator is calling for common sense to prevail in Westminster to get the Brexit deal over the line.
But Martin Conway admits a no-deal exit is looking increasingly likely, after both the government here and the EU published their contingency plans for such a scenario.
The government, however, insists there will be no planning for a hard border, even in the worst case Brexit, as Clare FM’s James Mulhall reports:
In the Irish government’s contingency plan, they warn of significant increases in customs checks if Britain crashes out of the EU.
It also states that more land will be needed at Dublin and Rosslare ports and Dublin Airport – though there was no mention for Shannon.
Work, meanwhile, is also being done to safeguard supplies of food and medicine in the event of a no-deal.
Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway is concerned that it’s looking more and more likely but says it’s vital that British MPs see sense over the Christmas break.
The government’s Brexit contingency plans don’t spell out how a hard border with Northern Ireland will be avoided.
The document published last night says the government is committed to avoiding a hard border but it doesn’t say how that will be done.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney says the border question is one that still has to be resolved.
Meanwhile, Irish businesses are appealing to politicians in the UK to accept the Brexit withdrawal agreement.
John McGrane, Director General of The British Irish Chamber of Commerce, is urging UK politicians to act responsibly to avoid such a no-deal exit.
