Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2017
372. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment 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. [33335/17]
View answerOn 2 May, the Government published a comprehensive document on Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. Following publication, work is underway across departments to prepare adaptive Sectoral 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 five cross government 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.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has a broad remit including telecommunications, energy, climate, broadcasting and environment.
My Department has identified energy as the highest priority sector and has published on its website a summary of Brexit energy priorities. Principal amongst these are maintenance of secure energy trading between the UK and EU Member States and maintaining the Single Electricity Market across the island of Ireland. The on-going work in my Department identifies potential impacts across each sector, defines specific priorities for the Brexit process and examines policy recommendations
My Department is working across the policy areas for which it is responsible to continue to develop our analysis in order to prepare for Brexit and minimise the potential impacts on Ireland.
