Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2296. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to protect Ireland's aviation industry and broader connectivity should the United Kingdom exit the Open Skies agreement. [35161/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has been clear that its approach to preparing for Brexit is aimed at minimising the impact it could have on our trade, our economy and seeking an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
The implications of Brexit, with regard to the aviation sector and Ireland's connectivity, will only become clear once the negotiations have been completed and the future EU-UK relationship has been decided.
Contingency planning in relation to Brexit, at both a national 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.
In addition to the work on contingency planning, there are on-going consultations between my Department's officials, other Government Departments and Agencies, and other public and private aviation stakeholders in order to continue to plan for and mitigate the risks associated with Brexit.
It is also important that the aviation industry takes steps to prepare for the possibility of a disorderly Brexit and that industry stakeholders undertake contingency planning to minimise the impact of Brexit on their business.
