Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect the European Commission’s draft proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (1.8.2018 COM(2018) 568 final 2018/0299 (COD)), amending Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013, with regard to the withdrawal of the UK from the EU will have on the UK economy after Brexit.

The Government has made no assessment of the effect of this proposal, which is the result of the European Union’s own preparations for a “no deal” scenario. It is a change to the definition of the corridor which will enable the Republic of Ireland to maintain direct links to the mainland of Europe. The government is making similar plans for the unlikely event of a “no deal” scenario, but is confident of achieving a deal, which is in the interests of all parties.