Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2016
579. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a Brexit sub-committee has been established in his Department; if so, when the sub-committee was convened; the number of times the sub-committee has met; the number of members on the sub-committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36201/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe outcome of the vote of 23 June 2016 in the UK will have implications across all aspects of the business of the European Union.
While the vote does not give rise to fundamental strategic issues for Defence Forces operations or for Ireland’s continuing engagement within the EU in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), it is expected that Brexit will have an impact on future developments in the Defence sphere.
The structures put in place in the Department of Defence to address the potential challenges arising from Brexit include the assignment of responsibility to a senior official in relation to Brexit related matters. The senior official is leading the Department’s input to deliberations within the framework established across Government and is supported in his role by a number of branches in the Department. In addition, the Management Board is acting as a clearing house for Brexit and maintains oversight on an ongoing basis.
The Deputy will appreciate that the UK has not yet left the EU and withdrawal negotiations cannot begin until Article 50 has been triggered by the UK. Negotiations will probably take at least two years to complete and all potential consequences of the vote will remain the subject of ongoing consideration by my Department.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has adopted a contingency framework to deal with all issues arising in respect of the UK vote to leave the EU. Accordingly, any issues arising, including those within the Defence area, whether bilateral, or in respect of developments in CSDP, or regarding our wider international multilateral defence engagements, will be also addressed within that framework.
