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Brexit Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2017

Wednesday, 12 July 2017

Questions (257)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

257. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the development of sectorial response plans to Brexit; the publication date of these plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33333/17]

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Written answers

As advised to the House in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 923 of 20th June last following the publication by the Government on 2nd May of a comprehensive document on Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This document sets out the approach of the Government to the forthcoming negotiations, and work is under way across Departments 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.

All of this work is ongoing and must also respond to the emerging developments in the Brexit negotiations. There is no decision as yet on publication dates. Arising from the reconfiguration of my Department, I will continue to monitor and examine the various ways in which Brexit could impact on the culture, heritage and Gaeltacht sectors. Concluding a mutually acceptable Brexit deal will be important from the perspective of these sectors, as will maintaining a favourable context for the operation of North-South Implementation Bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement, two of which, Waterways Ireland and the Language Body, come under the remit of my Department.

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