Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 November 2016
30. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to minimise the impact of Brexit in County Donegal; the engagement she has had with the IDA to ensure it secures new investment in County Donegal in view of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32938/16]
View answerThe outcome of the UK referendum on exiting the EU was not what Ireland hoped for but the Government has been preparing for such a result for over a year. The extent of the impact for all of Ireland, including border counties such as Donegal, will remain unclear until we know the outcome of the EU / UK negotiations.
I wish to assure the Deputy, however, that the Government is determined to meet this challenge and our preparations are currently intensifying at both political and official level. In this context, I secured additional funding in Budget 2017 to provide more than 50 new posts for the Department and its agencies to support a response to Brexit. In addition, I understand that both IDA and Enterprise Ireland already have dedicated Brexit units in place.
Over €1 billion of Enterprise Ireland client exports go to Northern Ireland and I am very conscious of challenges that may be faced by Irish companies operating in close proximity to the border. Enterprise Ireland is working with its 1,500 clients who export to the UK to determine the individual challenges they face, and to identify strategies where possible to help mediate against the potential impact.
IDA Ireland will continue to work to its business development strategy for the North West, which includes Donegal, to help it maximise investment in the Region. Among its targets, this strategy will see the Agency seeking to secure potential “second site” investments from companies with existing operations in Dublin, as well as pursuing new investments for the region.
