Dublin prepares for post-Brexit reality

The facility, which is state-owned, has said it would be prepared for UK import border checks and is assuming that the UK will depart from both the EU customs union and the single market.

Eamonn O’Reilly, Dublin Port Company’s chief executive, said: “We have taken what the UK government has said at face value — period.

“Any changes that happen that improve that are most welcome, but we’re not depending on it happening.”

April will see a planning application made to facilitate a vast growth in port import traffic checks, with over 50% of this traffic coming from the UK ports of Liverpool, Holyhead and Heysham.

Inspection points for food shipments and racehorses travelling to and from race meetings in the UK will be put in, along with new customs posts.

Mr O’Reilly explained that he had worked closely with the agricultural and health departments, the police and Ireland’s Customs service to examine the requirement for new physical checks at Dublin Port post-Brexit, with discussions on the checks also including businesses that make large shipments through the facility, private ferry operators and hauliers.