My Department is currently reviewing the arrangements that will need to be put in place to respond to the United Kingdom decision to leave the European Union.
In advance of the Referendum the Department had engaged in planning for the eventuality that there would be a vote to leave. In particular, it took part in the work of the Interdepartmental Group on EU/UK relations which was convened by the Department of the Taoiseach, and it contributed to the risk assessment conducted by that Department. Actions relating to my Department are included in the Government's Contingency Framework, a summary of which was published immediately following the Referendum result. In addition, the implications of a vote to leave were considered by the Department's Management Board prior to the Referendum and the issue was included in the Department's risk register.
In light of the outcome of the Referendum, the matter will continue to be reviewed by senior management, and the Department will continue to take part in the work of the Interdepartmental Group. Negotiations are unlikely to commence for some months, however, and the arrangement to be out in place to respond to the vote will need to take account of how these proceed.