Pearse Doherty
Ceist:44. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his plans to rework the diesel rebate scheme for hauliers in view of the industry’s exposure to Brexit. [44218/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 25 October 2018
Ceisteanna (44)
Freagraí scríofa
I am well aware of the threat Brexit poses to every sector of the economy, including the haulage industry. This week I met with the Irish Road Haulage Association and discussed the implications of Brexit. I can confirm that I will continue to meet with industry and listen to their concerns.
Co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken forward through the cross-Departmental co-ordination structures chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
This planning provides baseline scenarios for the impact of Brexit across all sectors. This approach is also enabling the modelling of potential responses under different scenarios, such as one where a withdrawal agreement is concluded and where a Free Trade Agreement is the basis for the future relationship between the EU and the UK. My Department is actively engaged in this planning work which has intensified in recent months and is well advanced.
The Government has been clear that it wants the closest possible relationship between the EU and the UK, including on trade, in order to minimise the impact on our trade and economy. The Government is working hard with the EU Taskforce and our EU partners to ensure that an agreement between the EU and the UK is reached.