11. What discussions has the Welsh Government had with the government of the Republic of Ireland on trade and transport connections post Brexit? OAQ(5)0255(FM)

Well, I called an extraordinary summit of the British-Irish Council in Cardiff in the summer, where the economy and trade and the common travel area were key points of discussion, and EU exit implications will figure prominently, I'm sure, in future British-Irish Council meetings.

First Minister, two of the most important trade routes with Ireland run through Wales, north and south, and they've received substantial funding over the years from European programmes, and, as we're seeing the UK Government talk about infrastructure investment as being key now, post Brexit, can you assure us that you are discussing these matters with them and the Republic of Ireland, because maintaining the quality of our ports and the roads and rail that serve them is crucial?

Well, there are issues for us. The issue of the border in Ireland has been raised, not least by me. The UK Government has conceded that the UK will not control its borders, because it has said that it does not want to see a closed border between Northern Ireland and the republic. I’ve no quibble or disagreement with that decision, but it does mean, of course, that the UK will have an open border with the EU. If you can get into the Republic of Ireland, you can get into the UK. There’ll be nothing to stop you. That goes against, of course, what some said in the EU referendum.

What are the implications for Wales? Well, at one time there were customs controls at the three Welsh ports that have Irish ferries—I remember them well—but they were random customs checks. Not everybody was checked. But there have never been passport controls at those ferry terminals, so if there was to be a closed border between the UK and the EU via Ireland, that would mean, of course, passport controls at the ferry ports, which they’re not equipped for, and delays. There would be congestion, particularly going into those ports. So, nobody wants to see the introduction of a border between the UK and the Republic of Ireland, but nobody has yet worked out how to avoid it.

I thank the First Minister.