WHAT

Every product that is traded outside of a "free trade agreement" is liable to some level of customs check.
Of course much of this is done on "trust" but, if there is a difference in duty/tax etc, the Irish border will become THE go to place for smuggling product in and out of the EU. It has very little to do with arms and drugs, although this may become more prevalent, post Brexit and more to do with pound notes to the Exchequer.
I thought that you were a little more savvy with this kind of stuff ??

Having valid documents usually prevents any physical checks on goods but, if tariffs in either direction between the UK and the EU are substantially different, there would need to be a higher level of scrutiny.

This stuff goes on all the time with products arriving in the UK, although Joe public never really sees any of this.

Certain countries have their own inspectors, who may wish to witness the loading of containers etc, which is still common place in some of the African countries.

Any kind of hard border will attract dissident republicans attention simply because they would see it as imposed by the UK government and therefore a fair target. As soon as that happens then the whole thing escalates. Dissident republicans want an escalation and this would provide the catalyst. Dissident republican terrorism is in the top three terrorist risks that the security services deal with along with Islamist groups and right wing groups. They haven’t gone away.

Every single load of animals arriving in NI from mainland GB is already has to undergo inspection & health checks. So the principle has already been established. Some meat products from outside the EU also have to undergo checks when arriving in NI.

You are correct; any physical structure demarcing the border will be viewed as a sign of British imperialism by some republicans.
An interesting alternative view;
[urlhttps://www.counterpunch.org/2018/09/04/if-the-troubles-return-after-brexit-it-wont-just-be-because-of-the-irish-border-issue/[/url

Brexit will soon be a minor problem for the EU. The Italian banking system is ready to pop, plus the Italians have told the EU that they will not be subject to interference from Brussels in setting a budget. Germany having crushed the Greeks might find the Italians a different proposition. Read a copy of the Irish times last week apparently fifty per cent of Irish beef is exported to the uk. If no deal is done wto tariffs are charged which is fifty percent, obviously the Irish farmers are extremely concerned to say the least.

Our Government can make decisions about what to do or not do on our side of the border but on the other side it's up to the EU country in question. Interesting stories have surfaced about what the French may or may not do. I'm sure it's all unfounded and is just project fear, the French have always had our best interests at heart.

Excellent and informed post - it certainly did deserve repetition.

My Dad grew up in Belfast - I discussed this with him the other day and he agreed - the presence of a hard border would be fuel to a flame that despite the GFA, has never really gone out.

So the Catholics are going to revolt over a border put in by the Catholics - really

Yes I'm sure everyone will blame them

Like when they used to throw our lamb into the harbour in their country? It seems like you have never read The Forbidden Game either. The French have NEVER had our intrests at heart.

I agree mate, I was being sarcastic.

Nah, this is just more "project fear" a name give to any awkward question or situation or "snowflake" if they think they want to try and belittle you.

Not really, both sides are guilty of taunts. Eg the brexit brigade are old and will probably die before we are out of the EU. So therefore the votes don’t count.Still the whole scenario is keep me entertained. Saw somebody’s Twitter posting about last Saturday’s March. Quote… it was wonderful everybody was so well behaved especially when we were all in pret a manger. Bet waitrose takings we’re down for the day.

Who wants a border it certainly isn't the UK

I believe it was you and the rest of the Brexitiers that wanted a border, you just didn't realise that was part of what you voted for, although to be fair, I know that you did your research





and now, poor Teresa is stuck between a rock and a hard place and can barely secure agreement among her cabinet on which way to try and move forward, never mind the UK or the EU.
I wonder if her husband whispers "strong and stable","strong and stable","strong and stable","strong and stable", to try and help her get to sleep at night.

I must have imagined all those Brexiters going on about taking control of our borders.

I think gammon and irony are mutually exclusive.

I doubt many brexitiers are bothered about a border in Ireland - I suggest to you its the likes of Tusk who are more concerned.

The leavers want to control the level of immigration - not free movement of goods - or have I got that wrong?

Surely you use a visa system to control immigration - if we go on holiday in Europe we still have to go through passport control so the idea that we all move freely through Europe without any checks is a myth.

Indeed - many Brexiters aren't bothered about a border in Ireland - which is precisely part of the problem; they should have been, and by extension should have found a satisfactory way to resolve it up front, rather than scrambling around now in pursuit of a unicorn solution that either doesn't exist, or is entirely unacceptable to all the other parties involved.

The vast majority of stock moves across borders with no check - on the basis of appropriate paperwork. If every container were opened and checked nothing would ever move. As I pointed the best supply chains originate in South East Asia e.g. Apple and manage to make it into Europe without delay. The Irish border is a red herring put out as a last ditch attempt by remainers.

No it's not a red herring - and no amount of parroting Mr Farage will make it so; this was entirely avoidable, if the hard Brexiteers weren't holding May to ransom to also leave the customs union - which was never a question on the referendum, and indeed some Brexit supporters said at the time that it wasn't part of the deal.

If we were staying in the customs union, or even *a* customs union as per Labour's policy, the Irish border issue would disappear in puff of economic and political common sense.

Bang on the money but, the more right wing elements of the Tory party expect to have their cake, eat it and go back for seconds.
This may be ok as a starting point for negotiation but, it's also fantasy island stuff, which is exactly where some of them belong. They are so bloody insular that they sould be granted their own piece of land and let them get on with ruling over feck all.

We must agree to differ on the real impact of a border in Ireland and the amount of freight that is illegally going to cross the border and also the sea into Europe or the other way.

Every country in the EU is awash with class A drugs - what does that tell you about the effective management of the borders that the EU supposedly hold so dear?

You're either deliberately obtuse, or thick, if you can't recognise that the question of a border in Ireland is not just about freight; it has significant political, historical and cultural baggage that no amount of Farage repetition will magic away.

You personify the problem with the whole Brexit cluster - the constant refusal to understand, address and resolve *real* issues - preferring instead, it would seem, to hang on to some fantasy idea that it would all be sorted if we simply believe a bit harder, and "get on with it."

Unbelievable amounts of blind faith in a bunch of self-interested, wealthy elites, who will never be in any way even mildly inconvenienced by the disaster they're forcing us into.

Because I don't see things the way you think I should I'm thick!! typical remainer in my opinion

Its people like you that make the border in Ireland to be suddenly something similar to the wall in Berlin - its not and it doesn't mean all of a sudden armageddon. The paras are active on both sides just its called organised crime and it touches every activity both sides of the border - if you think that isn't happening you are more stupid than I thought. All parties are making plenty of money why would they want a change.

Your faith is we stay in nothing changes - no prospect of any real growth unless the EU decides - I would say its the likes of you and your blinkered view of the future that is holding the country back - but you lefties always know what's best for everyone else as long as you are top of the food chain when the revolution happens. Hypocrites of the highest order when you talk about wealthy elites.