Micheál Martin
Question:63. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the status of the preparations for Brexit. [39813/16]
View answerTuesday, 13 December 2016
Questions (63)
Written answers
The Government has considered Brexit issues regularly since the UK referendum result, including on foot of ten separate Memoranda for Government. I am ensuring that a whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being developed, including through the Brexit Cabinet Committee which I established following the referendum result, which I chair and which will involve all Ministers as required. The issues involved concern all Ministers, Departments and Agencies and require a consistent and comprehensive whole-of-Government response.
The Cabinet Committee on Brexit has met on a number of occasions, most recently on 24 November, to continue overall coordination of our preparations for the negotiations on Brexit which will take place once the British Government submit their Article 50 notification. The Committee also considers the potential impact of Brexit for Ireland, as well as any economic opportunities that may arise. Separately, a special Government meeting was held on 16 November to consider Brexit issues and, in particular, to prepare for an important plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh on 18 November.
I have also restructured my Department to ensure that Brexit is treated as a crucial cross-cutting issue, including by creating a newly amalgamated International, EU and Northern Ireland Division, under a new Second Secretary General. The work of this Division includes supporting the Cabinet Committee on Brexit and the Cabinet Committee on European Affairs.
Work on Brexit is also supported by the Minister and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who now have a greater role in EU matters overall, with a newly created EU Division and the existing Division dealing with Anglo Irish affairs both having important roles to play.
Across Government, relevant Departments, agencies and overseas missions are being strengthened to deal with Brexit.