Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2017
83. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional measures, especially additional financial and other resources, that have been made available to his Department in an effort to prepare for Brexit, especially regarding ports, airports and the tourism sector; the type of Border expected once Brexit is enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14223/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the preparations his Department is making for Brexit, possible Border controls and its impact on the transport industry throughout the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13999/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together.
My focus and that of Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan to date has been on understanding the likely implications of Brexit for the transport and tourism sectors to inform our approach to the forthcoming EU/UK negotiations. In this context, on 23 January 2017, Minister of State Deputy O'Donovan and I hosted an All-Island Dialogue on the impact of Brexit on the tourism and hospitality sector. I also hosted an All-Island Dialogue on transport and logistics on the same day. Reports on the outcome of these Sectoral dialogues can be found on my Department's website. The All-Island Sectoral dialogues were in addition to other stakeholder engagements in the areas of aviation, maritime, road transport and logistics, and tourism which have been held by my Department.
A major concern of transport operators was a possible return of border controls and the implications these would have on tourism and also for the transport of goods on the Island of Ireland and to our continental markets.
The outcome of these consultations inform the analyses of the Department, including in relation to the implications of possible border controls, and feed into the overall analyses of Government. Details of the type of border, if any, will become clearer as the negotiation process evolves. In the meantime, my Department is represented on Inter Departmental Groups looking at the implications of Brexit from an economic, customs, EU Funded Programmes and Common Travel Area perspective.
A number of existing measures in place will assist in alleviating some of the adverse impacts of Brexit. I have already highlighted the importance of the 9% rate for the tourism sector and the retention of this rate was recognised by the Government in Budget 2017. The reduction of the Air Travel tax to zero, the temporary reduction of employers PRSI and changes to the VISA regime have also been important measures in supporting the tourism sector and these will assist in mitigating some of the implications of Brexit also. The question of additional financial or other measures in the tourism sector, and in the transport sector, is being kept under review and the position will become clearer during the EU/UK negotiations.
