Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
731. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the development of sectoral response plans for Brexit, the publication date of these plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38690/17]
View answer732. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the issues identified for consideration in the context of Brexit, including opportunities and their prioritisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38706/17]
View answer733. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of issues identified for consideration in the context of Brexit, including threats and their prioritisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38722/17]
View answer734. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the scenario planning that has been conducted by her Department for Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38738/17]
View answer735. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the methodology employed in the prioritisation of responses to Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38754/17]
View answer736. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funds that have been requested in response to threats resulting from Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38770/17]
View answer737. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funds that have been allocated in response to threats resulting from Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38802/17]
View answer738. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of vacancies in her Department for Brexit related roles; the expected date for these roles to be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38818/17]
View answer739. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her Department’s priorities for risk mitigation in response to Brexit. [38834/17]
View answer740. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the membership and role of all Brexit related stakeholder engagement groups working with her Department on Brexit issues; the number of times each stakeholder group has met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38850/17]
View answer741. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the Brexit related research currently being undertaken by her Department; the topics under consideration; the date this research commenced; the expected date for completion and publication in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38882/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 731 to 741, inclusive, together.
The comprehensive document “Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union: The Government’ Approach” published on 2 May outlined in detail the structures put in place by the Government to ensure a strategic and whole-of Government response to Brexit that ensures a coordinated approach to the identification of key priority issues for the EU-UK negotiations and the wider domestic response.
Since the publication of the comprehensive document, the Government further increased its strategic oversight of Brexit by assigning dedicated responsibility for Brexit matters to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Cabinet Committee structures have also been reformed and a new Cabinet Committee has been established to deal with EU Affairs including Brexit.
The Government’s National Risk Assessment 2017, which provides a systematic overview of strategic risks facing the country, was published on 29 August following a public consultation process. The National Risk Assessment acknowledges the significance of risk arising from Brexit, and that Brexit represents an overarching theme that could have far-reaching impacts on nearly all aspects of national life. It identifies areas where Brexit poses a specific risk, particularly in relation to the economy.
As set out in the comprehensive document of 2 May, the Government’s continuing work to ensure that Ireland’s interests are reflected in the EU’s approach to the ongoing EU-UK negotiations is a central dimension of Ireland’s strategic response to Brexit.
Work is also continuing across Government on Ireland’s wider response to the challenges and opportunities posed by Brexit, building on ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders and encompassing 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.
Policy decisions in support of these objectives also arise across a wide range of areas, including the annual budgetary process; the forthcoming National Planning Framework 2040; the new ten-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.
In relation to the work undertaken by my Department with regard to Brexit, I would refer the Deputy to my replies to Parliamentary Question No 923 of 20 June and to Parliamentary Question No 257 of 12 July.
To date, my Department has not sought additional staffing or funding resources in relation to Brexit. As I have previously advised the House, a Working Group, chaired at Assistant Secretary level and composed of officials from across the Department was established last year to deal with Brexit issues. This Working Group is supported by the Department's EU Co-ordination Unit which is also responsible for managing those issues relating to Brexit that fall within my Department’s remit.
The Department also has a full time dedicated attaché assigned to Ireland's Permanent Representation in Brussels. This officer is a member of the Department’s Working Group and is also fully involved in the preparations by Ireland’s diplomatic team in Brussels.
These arrangements are being kept under constant review and will be enhanced as required. My Department and I will continue to participate in, and contribute to, preparations for Brexit.
