Thread by @pmdfoster

Has everyone read the Irish 'no deal' Contingency Action Plan?

Really don't bother. It's one of the most vacuous documents I've ever read. Comically bad. 1/Thread

merrionstreet.ie/MerrionStreet/…

I think there might only be one new fact in it - which is the number of new lorry bays being planned at Dublin and Rosslare ports....but that's pretty much your lot. /2

/2

The rest is just a blizzard of working groups and officialese....here's my favourite three paras.

Basically reads like an end-of-year internal report by the office junior telling his superiors how many boxes they've ticked /3

But most hilariously of all, the 65-page report doesn't answer the one question everyone wants to know.

What happens on the Irish border if there's a 'no deal'.

It merely says Ireland wants the Withdrawal Agreement. And er...doesn't really have a plan beyond that. /4

Which of course makes a TOTAL NONSENSE of all those new lorry bays, since if the border is not going to be policed, why not just take the ferry from Stranraer and then drive south over the border. /5

It is worth noting also, just how tough the EU line is on the border (all borders) in a 'no deal' world.

It's still "all relevant" EU legislation on goods, and “every consignment” of live animal and animal product that needs checking. /6

Trade groups I've spoken to are pretty clear (even if the Pols don't want to talk about it) it means checks at the border - not least because if WTO tariffs kick in, the differential will mean that the Stranraer trip will be worthwhile. /7

It seems @simoncoveney wants to avoid infrastructure at the border, but not clear how.

One can only assume Ireland plans that UK will fold pretty quickly and come back to the table, backstop and all.

No clear there's a better plan.

8/ENDS