Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2017
189. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the development of sectorial response plans to Brexit; the publication date of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33340/17]
View answerFollowing the publication on 2 May of the comprehensive document setting out the Government's approach to the Brexit negotiations, which drew on the findings of sectoral dialogues held to date in the framework of the Civic Dialogue, work is underway across Government to prepare adaptive Sectoral Brexit Response Plans to mitigate emerging sectoral challenges. These plans will build on ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders, and will encompass the following themes:
- Sustainable fiscal policies to ensure capacity to absorb and respond to economic shocks, not least from Brexit;
- Policies to make Irish enterprise more diverse and resilient, to diversify trade and investment patterns, and to strengthen competitiveness;
- Prioritising policy measures and dedicating resources to protect jobs and businesses in the sectors and regions most affected by Brexit;
- Realising economic opportunities arising from Brexit, and helping businesses adjust to any new logistical or trade barriers arising;
- Making a strong case at EU level that Ireland will require support that recognises where Brexit represents a serious disturbance to the Irish economy.
Although not directly responsible for any one Sectoral Response Plan, my Department and I will have a key role to play in working with other Ministers and Departments to identify how to mitigate sectoral challenges that are identified across Government.
My Department has lead responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government approach to the EU-UK negotiations and it will continue to work closely with all Departments in this context to work towards ensuring that Ireland’s priorities – including in relation to sectoral issues – are appropriately reflected in the EU’s negotiating position as the process evolves.
I and my officials are also continuing an intensive programme of engagement with our EU partners. The aim is to ensure a firm understanding of Ireland’s unique concerns and also to identify areas where we share common priorities with Member States, both in relation to Brexit and also with regard to the wider EU agenda.
My Department also has a wider role and responsibility with regard to promoting Ireland internationally. This will only increase in importance across the range of our sectoral interests, especially where mitigating measures foresee a diversification of trade and investment patterns, particularly in markets and regions where awareness of Ireland may be less developed than in our longer established markets.
To this end, my Department, in collaboration with other Government Departments and State Agencies, is working to support Irish businesses to identify new opportunities for their products and services by diversifying into new markets as well as intensifying efforts in existing markets. The work is being taken forward through the Export Trade Council which I chair.
