Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2018
100. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has carried out an analysis by county of the potential impact of Brexit here, with particular reference to counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48121/18]
View answer113. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts that have been made to minimise the impact of Brexit on County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48115/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 113 together.
Any Brexit scenario will mean considerable change and impact for Ireland. We are taking forward extensive and detailed Brexit preparedness and contingency work across all Government Departments and Agencies. This planning, as appropriate, includes any specific responses necessary according to regional needs and at the county level, including those of Cavan, Monaghan, and Cork of which I am, of course, acutely aware.
As part of prudent preparation for Brexit, steps need to be taken at national level, at EU level and by business and citizens who will be affected.
The underlying strength and resilience of our economy is critical in ensuring that Ireland is in the best possible position to respond to the challenges that Brexit will bring and this has been a key factor in developing successive budgets including in Budget 2019.
The Government has already taken a number of key decisions on measures to be put in place for the necessary checks and controls for trade on an East-West basis. The recruitment of an additional 1,000 staff for customs and SPS controls, in addition to ICT and infrastructure measures at our ports and airports has been sanctioned and implementation is underway. Various contingency measures, such as the rapid redeployment of customs staff, are also under active consideration in a disorderly Brexit scenario.
Businesses and other affected sectors need to respond and prepare themselves and the Government is providing an array of support and information measures to assist them. Specific support measures and schemes are now in place for the business and agri-food sector. To better inform our businesses and citizens the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready public information campaign was launched in September. Very successful outreach events were held in October and more will follow this month.
Of particular relevance to citizens is the work on the Common Travel Area to ensure that the arrangements by which Irish and British citizens can live, work and access public services in each other’s countries will continue into the future in any Brexit scenario.
In a number of key areas the appropriate response and mitigation will be at the EU level and we are continuing to engage actively with the Commission on areas of priority for Ireland. The Commission has flagged the particular impact of Brexit on Ireland and Irish business in its contingency planning communication last week.
Ireland is also working closely with fellow member states to discuss areas of key concern, particularly facilitating the use of the UK as a landbridge post Brexit.
While we respect the decisions of the British people, we did not seek Brexit nor has it ever been our view that it is a positive step. We continue to engage in extensive contingency planning across Government, with a view to mitigating as far as possible the negative outcomes that will arise when the UK leaves the EU, particularly in a disorderly Brexit scenario.
