I propose to take Questions Nos. 2060 to 2066, inclusive, and 2068 together.
The comprehensive document Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union: The Government’s Approach published on 2 May 2017, 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 has sought to further increase its strategic oversight of Brexit through the addition of a dedicated responsibility for Brexit matters to the role of the Minister for Foreign Affairs & 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 new 10-year Capital Plan; the Enterprise 2025 Policy; and sectorial policies and investment decisions in areas such as agriculture, enterprise, transport, communications and energy. In so far as my Department is concerned, the National Planning Framework for Ireland 2040 is due to be finalised this year and, along with the Capital Plan and other long-term Government strategies, will play an important role in preparing for the consequences of Brexit.
The extent to which Brexit will impact on the housing market is uncertain at this point in time as it will be determined at least in part by the nature of the future relationship between the EU and the UK. While no specific funding need has been identified in relation to Brexit matters for my Department at this time, the Department is collaborating in a research programme with the Economic and Social Research Institute which includes work on estimating housing demand, including examining the implications for the housing market of changes in population, Brexit-related or otherwise, which might arise over the medium term.
The Brexit negotiations are a dynamic process and my Department will continue to work across Government, supporting the sectorial workgroups established as required.
