Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2018
139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which his Department has made the necessary preparations to combat the effects of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44178/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects to be in a position to deal with relevant fall out from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44180/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he has identified a position fall out from Brexit with a view to harnessing same for maximum benefit to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44181/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 141 and 142 together.
The Government is fully aware of the scale of the political, economic and diplomatic challenge posed by Brexit. It has been clear and consistent about Ireland’s priorities, namely minimising the impact on trade and the economy; protecting the Northern Ireland Peace Process; maintaining the Common Travel Area; and influencing the future of the European Union.
Across Government, all Departments and agencies are taking the necessary measures to prepare for Brexit while also preparing for the contingency of a no-deal Brexit or a disorderly Brexit. The Getting Ireland Brexit Ready Campaign was launched in September, and a series of regional events are in progress for citizens and businesses.
Within my own Department Brexit issues are coordinated by the Brexit/EU/North South Unit. The Unit supports me in my work on Brexit, leads work across the Department and its agencies, and represents the Department on the various groups that coordinate's the Government's response to Brexit.
Central to the Government’s preparation for Brexit is the prudent management of the public finances so as to ensure the economy remains competitive in the face of future economic headwinds. Measures being taken include balancing the books, reducing our debt burden, building up the Rainy Day Fund and continuing to invest in infrastructure.
Budget 2019 sets out a number of specific measures aimed at making Ireland Brexit ready, including the introduction of a longer-term loan scheme, the Future Growth Loan Scheme for terms of 8-10 years, to provide a longer-term scheme facility of up to €300 million to support strategic capital investment for a post-Brexit environment by business at competitive rates.
It also provides increased resources of €25 million across a range of Departments and Offices based on a Brexit central case scenario; a €71 million package for the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine and its agencies, Teagasc and Bord Bia; an increase of €14 million to the current allocation for the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation; €5 million for the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade to enable it to continue to address the challenges posed by Brexit across a range of headings.
Budget 2019 builds on Budget 2017 and Budget 2018 and will help to ensure that Ireland is in the best possible position to respond to the challenges - and indeed the opportunities - that Brexit will bring.
