Micheál Martin
Question:70. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the status of the work done by the group he set up under the auspices of his Department on Brexit. [28164/16]
View answerTuesday, 4 October 2016
Questions (70, 71)
Niall Collins
Question:71. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach if he has set up a departmental task force to acquire EU agencies and research projects from the UK that may have to relocate from Britain after Brexit negotiations are completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28264/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together.
The Government has established a new Cabinet Committee on Brexit which I chair. The Committee will oversee the overall Government response, including both the economic impact and the negotiations at EU level and with the administrations in London and Belfast. This will be supported in its work by a Senior Officials Group on BREXIT which will build on the work which was undertaken by the Inter Departmental Group on EU/UK Affairs.
A Second Secretary General has been appointed to lead a new integrated division within my Department with responsibility for EU, Northern Ireland, British-Irish and International affairs.
The appointment is part of a series of actions I announced following the referendum. This includes the strengthening of the EU policy role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as the strengthening of other key Departments, agencies and overseas missions.
This will be complemented by existing structures. They include: the Cabinet Committee on EU Affairs and the EU Senior Officials Group which supports it; and a consultative group of external stakeholders, including ICTU, IBEC and other business representative groups and relevant NGOs.
In anticipation of Article 50 being triggered in early 2017, all Departments have been examining all possible models for the future UK relationship with the EU, from continued membership of the single market to a full exit of the customs union.
As well as intensifying analysis of the risks associated with Brexit, Government Departments are also working to identify opportunities that may arise.
This includes inward investment opportunities and relocation of EU bodies currently located in the UK. Sector-by-sector work in this area continues, with for example potential scientific/R&D opportunities being closely pursued by Science Foundation Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland and the IDA are in close contact with their clients on the challenges and opportunities presented by the referendum result. They have also extended their schedule of Trade Missions.
The IDA will continue to promote the attractiveness of Ireland as a location of choice for investment and talent and will seek to maximise opportunities that might arise. This is based on our unique competitive strengths and our position as an English-speaking country in Europe and in the eurozone.
Government will also continue to implement our clear strategy for driving growth in the financial services sector.