Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 November 2016
7. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to protect Irish industry from Brexit; the details of those plans across all sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33032/16]
View answerWill the Minister tell us her plans to protect Irish industry from Brexit? Obviously, that is her job, but she might outline how she will do so sector by sector. I listened to all the questions on Brexit here earlier on. The Minister keeps repeating there is €52 million and €3 million in place, but how will she break down the supports and ensure that the different sectors are being protected? Will the Minister outline to us as much as she can how these sectors are being protected individually?
First, it is Enterprise Ireland that will be working sector by sector, and it has been doing that.
Has the Minister a reply?
It has contacted each of its 1,400 clients. That is what is needed, a bespoke response to the different clients. Enterprise Ireland has outlined its five pillars of support, namely, information and guidance, market diversification support, international sector clustering strategy, UK market support, and competitiveness and market development supports. There is significant potential to diversify and we will be working our way through that.
Obviously, Enterprise Ireland has been working with many of these companies for many years and it knows the strengths and weaknesses of the companies. As I stated already, the companies have different requirements and we will be trying to respond to that.
It would be foolish of me and the Department to announce something when we do not know what the companies want. We do not know their needs exactly. That is being worked on. We will probably have that response in a fortnight. The sectoral bodies, the Small Firms Association, IBEC and ISME, have all bought into this and they know that this needs to be done in order that we can give a proper targeted response.
I am surprised the Minister is saying that it is EI's responsibility and not her own. It is really the Minister's responsibility. All agencies-----
It is an agency under my Ministry.
The Minister will have an opportunity.
That is known.
I might have that time back, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. It is the Minister's responsibility. It is not Enterprise Ireland's responsibility. It is nice to have another five-point plan coming from Fine Gael under the five pillars.
I agree with the Minister on not announcing it too early and ensuring it is correct. I merely want to ensure the Minister is not making it up as she goes along in terms of what is happening here. It is broken down by sector. We need to ensure that across all of these sectors, whether it is market volatility, access to market, supply chain management, changes in business model potential, taxation issues or workforce mobility, all of these issues and many others are covered and being planned for thoroughly by the Department and all of agencies that work with the Minister.
I work closely with Enterprise Ireland. I probably talk to the people there once every two days. We have meetings every fortnight at which Enterprise Ireland gives the Department's officials the exact details on the ground with the companies. It is not hearsay and it is not someone talking in the pub.
From a strategic perspective, Enterprise Ireland has a two-pronged approach, that is, to assist companies to maintain and grow UK exports but also to extend their international reach, reorienting towards North America, including Canada, Asia and the Middle East. EI is particularly working with companies which are most exposed in the UK in areas such as engineering, food, construction and timber. It has contacted the 1,400 client companies. It certainly is not making it up as it goes along. Enterprise Ireland is also supporting companies to enhance their competitiveness to protect and grow Irish exports and jobs.
According to the Minister, we will know a lot in two weeks. I look forward to that.
The Minister stated that Enterprise Ireland does not make it up as it goes along. I know that. I worked fairly closely with it for many years. The Minister stated it has a two-pronged approach but only three minutes ago she stated it has five pillars. It is good to have all these statements, but what is needed is practical analysis across all of the sectors. Depending on how Brexit will be triggered in Britain, particularly after today's judgment, we need to be able to plan for all eventualities, both across sectors and across a range of issues, which I only hinted at earlier. We need to have confidence that there is a plan in place. The Minister says that we will know about it in two weeks. I and, I am sure, all other spokespersons look forward to this.
Has the Minister plans to meet Mr. Michel Barnier? I note the Taoiseach has. How quickly will the Minister be able to meet him and how does she foresee the role of the Irish appointee to the Brussels group that will oversee Brexit?
Enterprise Ireland has 1,400 client companies and it has contacted them. They have had face-to-face meetings. It is certainly not making it up. It is aware of what exactly is needed.
I will answer questions that I think need to be answered. It is important that the companies are lean, competitive, up to date and able to respond to the challenges and the competitiveness issues, such as oil prices and exchange rates. All of that happens, but then there are many factors within the control of the management team. That is what Enterprise Ireland is doing.
Enterprise Ireland is under my auspices, under my Ministry. We will ensure that happens. When we get this targeted response of companies, we will look at that and we will plan and see what we need to do. Certainly, I hope we will have a good, targeted response from the companies.
I asked two specific questions which have not been answered. The Minister was merely waffling. I asked about Brexit.
Deputy Kelly may have other opportunities.
I will answer that. I have not made arrangements but we will be doing so.
No, Minister. I am here to implement Standing Orders. We have to move on to Question No. 8 in the name of Deputy Quinlivan.
