OLD TRADE TIES
Goods trade between Ireland and the United Kingdom totalled 36 billion euros last year, representing 15 percent of all Irish exports and imports. At another 43 billion euros, trade to and from Britain in services accounted for a similar share in 2017.
While Ireland has been cutting its reliance on the British market in recent years, the proportion of trade is far higher if Ireland's raft of foreign-owned firms are excluded, with employment-heavy industries in rural areas among the most reliant on trade across the Irish Sea.
The number of Irish firms dealing with customs could surge to 100,000 from 17,000 last year if Britain is no longer a member of the EU's customs union, requiring 20 million annual declarations, the agency responsible for customs estimates.
"You should make necessary preparations now to minimise disruption to your business come October 31," Donohoe said, referring to the date Britain is due to leave the EU.
Ireland's Office of the Revenue Commissioners is in the process of intensifying its engagement with firms as many that trade with Britain have not yet applied for a customs number to continue doing so after Brexit. ($1 = 0.8916 euros)
