Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
113. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific steps he is taking with the EU, the UK Government, the National Assembly for Wales and the French Government to minimise the economic impact of Brexit on County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33613/18]
View answerMinimising the impact on trade and the economy is a key priority for the Government in the Article 50 negotiations. Ireland wants the closest possible relationship between the UK and Ireland, including on trade. Every county in Ireland will be impacted by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, including Co. Wexford which has significant trade and passenger traffic to the island of Great Britain and to Continental Europe. There is already a very strong awareness and understanding at EU level of the significant and unique impacts of Brexit on Ireland and an openness to exploring ways in which the EU can play a helpful and supportive role. This has already been reflected in a number of concrete measures and commitments to date, such as the European Investment Bank’s support for the Government’s Brexit Loan Scheme for SMEs. My colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, is also working actively, with the support of other relevant Departments, with the European Commission to scope and design schemes to support enterprises impacted by Brexit in line with State Aid rules. The EU Commission has approved a ‘rescue and restructuring’ scheme, which provides support to SMEs, including those in Wexford, experiencing acute liquidity needs as a result of Brexit.
Maintaining frequent contact with EU partners has been a priority for Ireland throughout the Article 50 negotiations process, with a view to ensuring Ireland’s priorities and concerns are fully understood. I discuss Brexit collectively with my EU27 counterparts on a monthly basis at the General Affairs Council (Article 50). The most recent meeting took place on Friday 20 July.
I have met with French Foreign Minister Le Drian twice this year, in February and May, and Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee also met with her French counterpart in February. My Government colleagues and I engage frequently with our UK counterparts on a wide range of issues of mutual interest. In addition to further strengthening our bilateral ties, such engagement also provides an opportunity to build the UK’s understanding of Irish-specific issues. In order to strengthen our bilateral relations with Wales, we will be opening a new consulate in Cardiff as part of the next phase of expanding Ireland’s global footprint.
While the Government is focused on achieving the best possible outcome through the Article 50 negotiations, we are under no illusion about the complexity of Brexit. The UK is leaving the EU on 29 March 2019 and this means some things will change. Detailed work is continuing at home to prepare for the UK’s exit, in parallel to work in Brussels. The Government agreed last week to intensify this work, which includes contingency planning for all possible scenarios, including the unlikely case of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, as well as preparing our ports, including Rosslare in Co. Wexford, for changed trading arrangements.
