Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 March 2018
64. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has carried out a county analysis of the potential impact of Brexit here with particular reference to County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14009/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is undertaking extensive analysis of the impact of Brexit on Ireland, much of which is in the public domain. This comprises research and outreach being carried out by individual Government Departments and agencies, as well as by stakeholder organisations, academic and others. Recent publications include the detailed response plan "Building Stronger Business - Responding to Brexit by competing, innovation and trading", which was prepared by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and sets out a number of actions and supports already in place with a view to addressing the regional impact of Brexit. This research and outreach is informing the Government’s contingency planning, which is advancing intensively through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by my Department. Each relevant Government Department has established the risks and impacts posed by Brexit, and provided mitigating actions, for their respective sectors. This work, which focuses on a “no deal” or worst-case outcome, 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. This includes, as appropriate, any specific responses necessary according to regional needs and at the county level, including in Wexford.
The Government will publish a new paper in the coming months on our approach to the negotiations and our latest assessment of the economic and sectorial challenges posed by Brexit and our responses to them.
