Effective whole-of-Government coordination has always been central to the Government’s approach to Brexit. Dedicated structures and working methods to ensure effective and coherent cooperation are in place in both the Permanent Representation in Brussels and at Headquarters.
During the EU-UK negotiations there was ongoing contact between the Brexit structures of the Department of Foreign Affairs and those of other Departments, to ensure effective sharing of information related to the negotiations and to ensure that we advocated as strongly as possible for Ireland’s interests throughout. Defending Ireland’s interests in the agriculture and marine sectors was a key priority for the Government throughout the Brexit process, which meant a very high level of cooperation and contact between my officials and their counterparts in DAFM.
A dedicated unit coordinates Brexit related issues at the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels. During the period referred to by the Deputy, this Unit was staffed by six officials. This team worked very closely with the agriculture and marine experts based in the Permanent Representation. During the period in question, there were five DAFM officials based in the Permanent Representation. Contributing to the whole-of-Government work on Brexit was an important aspect of these officials’ responsibilities.
Given the importance of fisheries matters to Ireland in particular, the Permanent Representative Ambassador Tom Hanney and Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador Maeve Collins also played significant roles as part of their regular engagement with Member State counterparts and senior officials in the Commission.
