Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2017
149. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the development of sectorial response plans to Brexit; the publication date of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33344/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 2 May 2017, following the triggering of Article 50 and the adoption of the EU’s negotiating directives, the Government published a position paper on Brexit. The paper reflects the stated Government priorities of minimising impact on trade and the economy; protecting the Northern Ireland Peace Process; maintaining the Common Travel Area; and influencing the future of the European Union.
Following publication of the paper, sectoral Brexit response plans are being prepared by relevant line Departments with responsibility for individual sectors with a view to mitigating emerging sectoral challenges. These plans will build on ongoing cross-Government research and analysis and consultations with stakeholders.
For my Department a key issue is the impact of Brexit on the EU-funded cross-border programmes, PEACE and INTERREG. The programmes are important drivers of regional development in a cross-border context and have allowed a range of Departments and agencies, North and South, to support a variety of cross-border and cross-community projects.
The Government is firmly committed to the successful implementation of the programmes and to successor programmes post-2020. Last October I was able to announce that agreement had been reached with the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland on a safeguard clause to Brexit proof funding agreements with programme beneficiaries.
Now that this short-term objective has been achieved, the medium-term objective is to ensure successful implementation of the programmes out to 2020, through a period during which the UK is expected to leave the EU. My longer-term objective is secure agreement for successor programmes post-2020. Work is under way in my Department to address these medium and long term objectives.
