Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2100. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of extra employees to be hired in his Department between now and March 2019 to prepare for a hard Brexit; the specific roles these new employees will take up; the estimated cost of hiring these new employees; the impacts on his Department's expenditure ceilings for 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34659/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s contingency planning for Brexit was initiated well in advance of the UK referendum in June 2016. As Minister for Communications, Climate Action, & Environment, I oversee a continuous intensification of contingency planning for the wide portfolio under my remit.
Contingency planning for a no-deal or worst-case outcome, bringing together the detailed work being undertaken by individual Ministers and their Departments on issues within their policy remit, was identified as an early priority and is now well advanced. Its focus is on the immediate economic, regulatory and operational challenges which would result from such an outcome. It assumes a trading relationship based on the default WTO rules, but also examines the possible effects on many other areas of concern.
This work has provided baseline scenarios for the impact of Brexit across all sectors, which can then be adapted as appropriate in light of developments in the EU-UK negotiations. This is enabling the modelling of potential responses under different scenarios, such as one where a withdrawal agreement, including a transitional arrangement, is concluded, and where a Free Trade Agreement is the basis for the future relationship between the EU and the UK.
Energy is identified as a key priority for my Department and for Government in the Brexit negotiations (www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/Brexit). The Strategic Energy Policy Division, consisting of six staff, which deals with strategic energy policy matters generally, takes a leading role in coordinating all Brexit work across my Department. The Division is responsible for my Department's Brexit Preparedness, mandated by government.
All costs relating to Brexit activities in my Department are met by existing budgets. Potential impact on any sector will depend largely on the shape of the future relationship between the EU and UK. Any future expenditure and staffing is dependent on evolving requirements.
