I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 to 292, inclusive, and 294 together.
Last May the Government published a document setting out in detail its approach and the structures it had put in place to ensure a strategic and whole-of-Government response to Brexit. 'Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union: The Government’s Approach' identifies key priority issues for the EU-UK negotiations as well as the wider domestic response.
Within my Department this approach is reflected in the Department's Statement of Strategy for 2016-2019. The challenges posed by Brexit are kept under constant review and a dedicated Brexit/EU/North South Unit is responsible for co-ordinating the response to Brexit across the Department.
Reformed Cabinet Committee structures have now been put in place with a new Cabinet Committee devoted to EU Affairs, including Brexit, of which I am a member. My Department participates fully in the official level structures that support the work of the Cabinet Committee.
The significance of the risk arising from Brexit is reflected in the Government’s National Risk Assessment 2017 and also in my Department's own risk register. In particular, the National Risk Assessment identifies areas where Brexit poses a specific risk, particularly in relation to the economy.
The Government is also working to ensure that Ireland’s interests are reflected in the EU’s approach to the ongoing EU-UK negotiations.
Across Government, work is continuing on Ireland’s wider response to both the challenges and the opportunities posed by Brexit. This builds on ongoing cross-Government research and analysis, as well as stakeholder consultations.
Policy decisions in support of the Government's approach to Brexit arise across a wide range of areas, including the annual budgetary process; the forthcoming National Planning Framework 2040; the new 10-year National Capital Plan; the Review of Enterprise 2025 Policy, and sectoral policies and investment decisions in areas such as agriculture, enterprise, transport, communications and energy.