Garda
management are drafting emergency plans to deploy hundreds of uniformed gardaí
to the Border in the event of a no-deal Brexit on March 29, it is understood.
However
the Garda Commissioner has denied that up to 600 members will be moved to
police border crossings.
The
Irish Independent understands that policing the border was discussed at a
high-level meeting at Garda HQ in the Phoenix Park.
Sources
say 600 gardaí will be required to man the estimated 300 Border crossings along
the 500km frontier in the event the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal.
It
is feared that such a plan could have an impact on the number of gardaí on the
beat across the country.
However
speaking at Garda Headquarters this morning, Commissioner Drew Harris said:
"Reports of 600 Gardaí to be moved to the border are entirely
incorrect. I have not discussed this
matter neither have I considered this proposal.
"The
increasing deployment of Gardaí to all policing regions including the Northern
Region is commensurate with a growing organisation.
"We
continue to prepare for Brexit in line with Government Policy."
Some
400 new customs staff will be in place on Brexit day as part of no-deal
preparations.
It
comes as a Fianna Fáil-backed bill that seeks to boycott goods from the
Occupied Palestinian Territories could jeopardise US investment in Ireland. It
has been claimed the proposed law could create serious difficulties for US
multinationals, perhaps even prompting some to leave.
Meanwhile,
brinkmanship over the threat of a no deal was ramped up yesterday with EU chief
Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warning British MPs that efforts to delay or
thwart Brexit will not stop a no-deal from happening. The message from Brussels
was a welcome reprieve for the Government following a lacklustre response from
ministers to speculation over a hard Border in the event of a no-deal.
Downing
Street said it recognises the need to take forward bilateral discussions on how
to avoid a hard Border under a no-deal, but the
Government
has insisted further discussions will take place through the EU and the Brexit
taskforce.
Garda
HQ is expected to issue a directive next week seeking volunteers across five of
the country's six Garda regions who will then be seconded to the Border on
tours of duty of between six and 12 months' duration.
The
extra gardaí will bolster the number of officers already stationed in the
Border region which has seen a steady decline in personnel over the past
decade. It is understood that extra customs officers will also be sent to the
Border to work alongside gardaí.
However,
if the requisite number of volunteers are not forthcoming, senior officers will
be instructed to mandate individual officers for Border duty, something that is
likely to cause friction between management and the representative bodies. As
part of the plan, which some sources are describing as "a worst case
scenario" or "doomsday plan", recruits currently in training in
Templemore will also be sent to the Border to make up the numbers over the
coming months.
It
is also understood that military chiefs are drafting plans for the deployment
of extra troops to the Border region in support of gardaí.
The
Garda Commissioner has already pointed out there is a fear dissident
Republicans and criminal gangs already operating in the Border region will seek
to exploit the post-Brexit arrangements.
Meanwhile,
more than 400 new customs staff will be in place on Brexit day as part of
no-deal preparations as Ireland prepares for a sharp increase in customs
requirements post-Brexit.
The
impact of any type of Brexit on tens of thousands of Irish businesses will be
spelled out today by Revenue Chairman Niall Cody, who will appear before the
Dáil's Finance Committee to update TDs and Senators on Brexit preparedness. He
will confirm that 400 customs staff are expected to be in place at the end of
March following an accelerated recruitment process as no-deal contingency plans
are put in motion.
According
to his opening statement to the committee, seen by the Irish Independent, the
administrative burden of fulfilling customs obligations looks set to increase
by more than 1,000pc.
It
is estimated up to 85,000 businesses could be affected - with more than half of
those engaging in regular trade with the UK in 2017. After Brexit, the UK will
become a 'third country', meaning that separate customs rules will apply to
products coming from and going to the UK. Last year there were some 1.6 million
import and export declarations processed through Revenue's IT system related to
trade with third countries. This could increase to as many as 20 million per
year.
Separately,
concerns have been raised that "a gap" in payments for some Irish
pensioners in the UK could emerge if the UK crashes out.
A
memo brought to Cabinet by Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty warns that
while Ireland is well fixed to pass emergency legislation to continue payments,
the UK may not be.
The
Irish Independent has learned that Ms Doherty briefed colleagues of a risk that
"a gap" in social welfare payments may occur, although the Government
is planning to ensure that doesn't happen.
Ireland
and the UK have reciprocal arrangements for a range of social welfare payments,
including pensions and child benefit. Both sides have agreed to maintain the
status quo regardless of what happens with Brexit - but this will require
legislation in the Dáil and House of Commons.
More
than 135,000 people living in Ireland receive the British state pension, while
more than 20,000 Irish people in the UK get a pension from this State. It's
understood the UK government has agreed in principle to continue all payments,
but Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd has been unable to guarantee the legislation
will be passed by March 29.
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