Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“One of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson’s empty boosts over his Dud Deal was that the Irish Sea border was gone.
“Now, it turns out the local DAERA department has 151.5 staff dedicated to inspections and official controls at our ports. In fact, far from the border dissipating the department intends to increase the staffing by almost 25% by employing another 28 staff!
“A border that requires nearly 200 staff is real and getting stronger, not weaker.
“Once more DUP spin disintegrates when it collides with the facts!”
Note to editors
Mr Allister’s question and the Minister’s response is as follows:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) how many border staff are employed by his Department; and (ii) how many posts his Department still intends to fill.
My Department does not employ border staff but is required by law to ensure a sufficient number of suitably qualified and experienced staff are available to perform official controls and other official activities efficiently and effectively at SPS Inspection Facilities.
Currently my Department employs 151.5 staff, across a range of disciplines and expertise, in support of delivering official controls and activities at SPS Inspection Facilities, and intends to fill 28 vacancies deemed necessary to ensure it continues to meet its statutory obligations in this regard.