Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2018
272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department is making provision for the eventuality of Brexit with particular reference to its implications for air and sea travel and in view of the necessity to ensure easy travel access to continental Europe for Irish customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8009/18]
View answer273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to be in a position to assuage the fears of the tourism and the business sectors in respect of ready, future air and sea travel to Europe; if sea ports and airports are to be developed for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8010/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together.
Brexit and its potential implications for Ireland are being managed on a whole-of-government basis. My Department is represented on all relevant cross-departmental coordination structures, and an internal departmental committee on Brexit meets on a monthly basis to oversee the Department's analyses and planning as the negotiations progress.
The Government has been clear that its approach is aimed at minimising the impact of Brexit on our trade and economy and an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
Contingency planning in relation to Brexit at both a national and an EU level is focused on three areas: preparing for a no-deal scenario or so-called “disorderly Brexit”; preparing for a transition period based on the “status quo”; and preparing for the future EU-UK relationship.
In addition to the work on contingency planning, there are ongoing consultations and meetings between my officials, other Government Departments and agencies, and other public and private key stakeholders in order to continue to plan for and mitigate the risks associated with Brexit.
The implications of Brexit for air and sea transport will only become clear once the negotiations have been completed and the future relationship between the EU and the UK have been decided.
My officials will continue to work with the road haulage, tourism, aviation and maritime sectors and stakeholders in order to further identify and plan for the implications of Brexit, including through a number of stakeholder meetings expected to take place during Q1 of 2018.
