Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 March 2017
337. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) relating to the complexities of the Brexit decision and Irish ports; his plans with regard to safeguarding trade in Irish ports when the UK completes its withdrawal from the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10843/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has brought the paper referred to to the attention of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and to the Revenue Commissioners.
It is expected that the UK will trigger Article 50 within the coming few weeks. In anticipation of that there has been an intensive process pf examining prospective scenarios for the anticipated negotiations on both the UK withdrawal from, and its future relationship with, the European Union. While it is not possible to predict with certainty what the attitude of the Commission and other Member States may be, or what position may be taken by the UK, one of our headline priorities is to minimise any negative impact for trade and the Irish economy.
