On 2nd May, the Government published a comprehensive document on Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This document sets out the approach of the Government to the forthcoming negotiations, following the successful campaign to have key Irish issues recognised in the EU negotiation position. Following on from this publication, work is underway to prepare a further paper on economic implications of the Brexit challenge. This will draw on the work to date across Departments, which will be developed to mitigate emerging sectoral challenges. These plans will build on ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders, and will reflect the core economic themes of the Taoiseach's speech to the Institute of International and European Affairs on 15 February last.
I hosted a productive public forum on Brexit in Monaghan last November which was attended by a range of interests from the Border region. I also hosted a Sectoral Dialogue on Brexit in Cavan on 6th February which was attended by over 100 stakeholders from across the arts, culture, film, heritage, Irish language, regional and rural affairs sectors. This Sectoral Dialogue meeting focused on the impacts of Brexit on the sectors served by my Department, with particular attention being given to the impacts on Rural and Border communities. This event was part of the ongoing engagement with civil society initiated through the series of All-Island Civic Dialogues hosted by the Taoiseach.
Ireland’s economic interests lie firmly in a strong and well-functioning EU with continued and unfettered access to the single market. Contingency work examining all scenarios is continuing and it not possible to pre-empt the outcome at this stage.
As far as my own Department is concerned, I am acutely aware of the challenges arising from Brexit for Rural Ireland and for the border area in particular. The actions set out in the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development launched in January, will assist in supporting rural communities, including those in border areas, to meet the challenges posed by Brexit and to position themselves to avail of the opportunities which also may arise. The Action Plan contains over 270 actions to be delivered by a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other bodies to support the economic and social development of rural Ireland.
Concluding a mutually acceptable Brexit deal will also be important from the perspective of the Arts and Culture sector in Ireland. While arrangements between cultural institutions are, in many instances, subject to UN or Council of Europe agreements, any implications for availability of European funding and restrictions to “the four freedoms ” could limit the free movement of artists, arts organisations. There is also the potential for disruption in areas where we compete for business with the UK, such as the film industry and cultural or heritage tourism where the common standards that Ireland and the UK currently adhere to, based mainly on EU Directives, currently provide a level playing field.
I am very conscious of the extent to which EU membership has created a favourable context for the operation of North-South Implementation Bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement, two of which, Waterways Ireland and the Language Body come under the remit of my Department. Waterways Ireland is the largest of the Implementation Bodies – it employs over 300 people – and is headquartered in Enniskillen. Foras na Gaeilge, a constituent agency of the Language Body, also maintains offices on both sides of the border. Curtailment of free movement, particularly free movement of people and goods, could, therefore, present challenges for the effective operation of the two Bodies. The protection of the arrangements put in place under the Good Friday Agreement of an acceptable outcome in these areas will therefore be a high priority for the Government in the EU’s forthcoming negotiations with the UK on Brexit.
