Revenue has begun the process of hiring additional customs officials to carry out checks on cargo trade between Ireland and the UK after Brexit. Last month it began a campaign to appoint clerical officers in customs trade facilitation.

This follows a decision by the Government in July to appoint 600 to 700 additional customs officials and up to 300 additional Department of Agriculture inspectors, including veterinary inspectors, as new trading arrangements between the UK and EU will arise from as early as 30 March 2019.

Revenue told applicants its trade facilitation role involves clearing cargo imports and exports to countries outside the EU. The work will involve checks on customs declarations, physical examination of cargo consignments, processing goods detained for further enquiry, dealing with undervaluations, misdeclarations and trade in counterfeit or prohibited goods. There will be co-operation with other State agencies, including the Department of Agriculture.

The open competition for customs officials was run on Revenue’s behalf by the Public Appointment Service and the closing date for applications was a number of days ago.

At the time of going to print, there was no information available on the number of people who applied.

A Revenue spokesperson said the recruitment process was based on a scenario of an orderly UK departure from the EU on 30 March 2019, with a transition period until the end of 2020.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands the Department of Agriculture has not yet invited external applications to fill new posts.