Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2018
46. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the level of ongoing contacts between her Department and its counterpart in Northern Ireland and with the industrial development agencies North and South in regard to dealing with Brexit related issues that are common to all of the island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16796/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department works closely with its counterpart in Northern Ireland - the Department for the Economy - regarding the operation of InterTrade Ireland (ITI), the cross-border body that assists SMEs all across the island in growing North-South trade.
ITI has been very active in working to assist businesses in Ireland address the particular challenges that Brexit may present for cross-border commerce. My Department has provided additional funding to ITI, in both 2017 and 2018, to allow it to undertake a range of initiatives aimed at better preparing Irish SMEs for the UK's withdrawal from the European Union. This work includes the provision of specialist advice and support for capability building. Major flagship awareness events have been held in both Belfast and Dublin, attracting several hundred companies each. In addition, an extensive series of information events have been held in other locations on both sides of the border.
My Department is also funding a research project being undertaken for ITI by the Economic and Social Research Institute. This research has already improved our collective understanding of the impact of different trade and tariff regimes which may be imposed following Brexit and supply chain links between our two jurisdictions. Further research on other aspects of cross border trade is underway.
We will continue to support ITI's work as it takes steps to help clients deal with the challenges associated with Brexit.
