FTA Ireland (FTAI) welcomes the UK government’s announcement regarding the extension of trade easements for imports into Great Britain from the EU but calls for urgent action from the Irish government to do more to protect Irish businesses’ interests in the longer term. General Manager of FTAI, the organisation which represents the interests of the nation’s logistics sector, Aidan Flynn, comments:
“The Irish government and EU Commission must follow the UK government swiftly in recognising the scale and significance of the challenges businesses have faced in adjusting to the new Brexit trading requirements, while also dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ireland has, in the view of FTAI, been disproportionately impacted through its geographic location and this means the country’s trade has been hindered, predominantly imports from Britain which have been significantly reduced. The implications, particularly for small to medium sized businesses, must be recognised and trade easements must be reciprocated for imports into Ireland if the country’s economy is to be protected.
“FTAI’s members are particularly keen for government to address the challenges surrounding the duplication of information required by the Health Service Executive (HSE) when moving goods across the border. Despite the information – Movement Reference Numbers (MRN’s), commercial invoices and details of the load – submitted through the Automated Import System (AIS), the same detail has to be submitted to HSE separately, which significantly reduces operational efficiency and places additional time and financial pressures on the hauliers and customs agents. FTAI is also calling for a suspension of Safety and Security declaration requirements and for integrated IT systems to be developed in such a way that all state agencies can access the relevant information swiftly and efficiently.”
FTA Ireland is a not-for-profit membership trade association for the Irish freight, passenger and logistics industries. We are wholly owned and governed by our members, and act solely in advancing their best interests. FTA Ireland covers all aspects of private and public freight transport, passenger transport and logistics supply chain, including road, rail, sea and air. FTAI represents some of the largest freight and passenger operators in Ireland, with more than 25,000 employees and 10,000 vehicles operating between them.
For more information please visit: https://www.ftai.ie/
ENDS
Notes for editors:
For further press information or comment please contact Aidan Flynn on + 353 87 354 6954
Follow FTA Ireland on Twitter @newsfromftai
