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Wednesday, 7 Feb 2018

Written Answers Nos. 320-323

Brexit Data

Ceisteanna (320)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

320. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has commissioned economic or regulatory impact assessments of the risks to sectors under the purview of her Department following the decision of the UK to exit the EU and the various types of future relationships that might result; if she will provide a copy of such studies conducted; the persons or body commissioned to conduct this research; the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6301/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Contingency planning at both a domestic and an EU level is focused on three areas: preparing for a no-deal scenario or so-called “disorderly Brexit”; preparing for a transition period based on the “status quo”; and preparing for the future EU-UK relationship.

While the outcome of the December European Council and the move on to Phase 2 has lessened the likelihood of a disorderly Brexit, very detailed work on a no-deal or worst-case-scenario is advancing intensively through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade. This work is also informed by ongoing stakeholder engagement. Separately, a new preparedness unit in the Commission is considering EU-level responses.

All this work provides a baseline scenario for the policies and sectors impacted, which can then be adapted as appropriate in light of developments in the EU-UK negotiations. In this regard, it is welcome that the direction of travel is now firmly towards achieving a “status quo” transition period.  Agreement on a “status quo” transition will provide certainty to individuals and businesses while also aiming to avoid any cliff edge effects between the UK leaving the EU and a future relationship agreement coming into force. The period will provide time for businesses and citizenship to prepare for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU based on the outcome of the negotiations on the framework for the EU’s future relationship with the UK. In this respect, the expectation is that the European Council will adopt additional Guidelines at its meeting on 22-23 March 2018 on the framework for the future EU-UK relationship. These guidelines – as well as further clarity on the UK position, which has been sought by the European Council – will provide a clearer picture of the direction of travel in the negotiations. 

The Government’s contingency planning continues to be firmly grounded in the extensive work and outreach that has already been undertaken by individual Departments and agencies, as well as by stakeholder organisations, academics and others.  Much of this is in the public domain.

In relation to the work undertaken by my Department with regard to Brexit, I would refer the Deputy to the replies given to Parliamentary Questions No. 923 of 20 June, No. 257 of 12 July, No. 741 of 11 September No. 586 of 7 November and No. 756 of 13 December. 

The main forum for advancing North South cooperation is the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), which was established under Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement.  In the Council, the Government works with the Northern Ireland Executive to advance areas of practical co-operation which are to our mutual benefit, and the Council oversees co-operation in the agreed twelve Areas or Sectors. The power-sharing Executive and the Assembly are responsible for representing the interests of all of the people of Northern Ireland, including in relation to how the issues arising with the UK exit from the EU should be addressed.  It is imperative that the devolved institutions can urgently operate again so that the North South Ministerial Council can resume its work and bring together the Government and the Executive to oversee and develop North/South cooperation, including that commenced last year to coordinate engagement by the Government and the Executive on dealing with the challenges raised on an all-island basis by the UK exit. 

In six of these Sectors provided for under the Good Friday Agreement, co-operation is taken forward by means of the North South Implementation Bodies:  Waterways Ireland, Food Safety Promotion Board, InterTradeIreland, Special EU Programmes Body, North/South Language Body, and the Loughs Agency, all of which operate on an all-island basis. 

My Department co-sponsors two of the six North-South Implementation Bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement, Waterways Ireland and An Foras Teanga / the Language Body.  

My Department continues to participate in inter-Departmental preparations for Brexit and has established an internal Working Group to address all Brexit related issues affecting the Department and the State Bodies it funds, including the two North South bodies referred to above.

The arrangements which I have outlined are kept under constant review and will be enhanced as required in light of the ongoing preparations for Brexit.

Brexit Data

Ceisteanna (321)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

321. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the additional budget for 2018 or other years provided to her Department and all agencies and bodies within her remit to plan or prepare for Brexit; the number of additional staff that have been recruited to work on this policy area in each body, agency and her Department; the number of dedicated staff planning and working on Brexit matters in each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6318/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A Working Group, chaired at Assistant Secretary level and composed of officials from across the Department, was established last year to deal with Brexit issues. This Working Group is supported by the Department's Corporate Governance and Coordination Unit which is also responsible for coordinating the response to Brexit related issues within the remit of my Department.

My Department also has a full time dedicated attaché assigned to Ireland's Permanent Representation in Brussels. This officer is a member of the Department’s Working Group and is also fully involved in the preparations by Ireland’s diplomatic team in Brussels.

These arrangements are met from within existing resources and will be kept under review and enhanced as required.

Departmental Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (322)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

322. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the involvement her Department has had in respect of contracts with a company (details supplied) that provide public private partnership contracts; the nature of the contract; if it was for capital construction or service supply; the duration of each contract; the value of fee commitments; the alternative arrangements she has made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6335/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised that my Department has had no public private partnership contracts with the company referred to by the Deputy.

Appointments to State Boards Data

Ceisteanna (323)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

323. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the persons on State boards under the aegis of her Department who are also serving on other State boards; and the persons on State boards under the aegis of her Department that have served previously on other State boards. [6459/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) operates a dedicated website, www.stateboards.ie, through which it advertises vacancies on State Boards.  Since this website was set up in 2014, with the exception of certain statutorily defined appointments, it has consistently been used by my Department to identify suitably qualified members of the public who are interested in serving on boards under my remit.

As Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I am responsible for appointments to the boards of relevant bodies under the aegis of my Department only.  Details of the current membership of all applicable State boards are published on www.Stateboards.ie, however, the specific information sought by the Deputy in relation to Boards outside the remit of my Department is not available.  

With regard to persons serving on more than one of the State boards under the aegis of my Department

- Ciara Breathnach is a member of the Board of the National Library of Ireland and of the National Archives Advisory Council and the Irish Manuscripts Commission. 

- Hiram Morgan is a member of the National Archives Advisory Council and the Irish Manuscripts Commission. 

- Mary O’Dowd is a member of the Board of the National Museum of Ireland and the Irish Manuscripts Commission.  

It should be noted that the National Archives of Ireland has an Advisory Council,  rather than a board and that section 20 (3) (a) of the National Archives Act states “The members of the Council shall include not less than two members of the Irish Manuscripts Commission ..”

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