Leo Varadkar warns Ireland can't be complacent despite recent Brexit revelations

Leo Varadkar has warned that “everything might be alright on the night” with Brexit, but that we can’t be complacent.

Mr Varadkar said that key staff are now in place in Customs and Revenue to handle a possible no-deal Brexit or border complications.

And he said that a new advertising campaign reminding people of the challenges of Brexit will be launched shortly.

The Taoiseach was speaking in the Dáil after Brexit was once again top of the agenda at this week’s Cabinet meeting.

Brexit had slipped off the radar in recent months, but with British Prime Minister, Theresa May, coming under renewed pressure to play her hand, it has brought the political crisis into focus here again too.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during a meeting with Michel Barnier, the EU's Chief Brexit Negotiator, at Government Buildings in Dublin (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA Wire)

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, earlier cautioned ministers at the weekly government meeting that the dangers of a disastrous no-deal Brexit are more likely now than ever before.

And speaking in the Dáil shortly afterwards, Mr Varadkar pressed this home.

He was speaking in response to Fianna Fáil finance spokesman, Michael McGrath, who said he is worried that we could go “back into recession” if we don’t stay on top of Brexit.

He said “we need to intensify our preparations our efforts” in providing extra supports.”

The Taoiseach said in response: “We had a detailed discussion at Cabinet today on foot of a memo brought by the Tánaiste on no-deal Brexit planning.

“We reviewed some of the areas where a lot of progress has been made.

“Legislation was passed by this House and we are now beginning to look at some areas which may require secondary legislation and where some more work needs to be done.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD during a statement to media in relation to the latest developments regarding Brexit at Government Buildings, Dublin (Gareth Chaney Collins)

“We noted in fact that the staff are now in place in Customs and Revenue and other areas where they’re needed.

“And we are going to renew information campaigns, particularly informing business of the actions they need to take and of the supports that are now available that haven’t been fully availed of.

“A lot of businesses aren’t prepared,” Mr Varadkar warned.

“There are others that are perhaps still taking the view that, ‘it’ll be alright on the night,’ and it might well still be alright on the night, but we can’t assume that.

“So, we’ll be asking businesses in particular to up their planning and avail of the information and supports that are already available.”