Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018
160. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the campaigns he is undertaking to inform persons about Brexit; the format these will take; if he has sought external advice on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45872/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 20 September 2018, I launched the whole-of-Government Getting Ireland Brexit Ready public information and outreach campaign, together with Ministers Humphreys and Creed. Building on work that was already underway across Government Departments and Agencies, the campaign aims to provide information to citizens on the current state of play in the negotiations and wider issues that may affect them as a result of Brexit, and to explain the extensive work underway across Government to prepare for Brexit, including information on the comprehensive range of financial and other supports that are available for business and other key affected sectors.
Information on all aspects of Brexit can be accessed on our revamped Brexit website (www.dfa.ie/brexit), bringing together information on the range of activities being carried out by the Government and its agencies in one accessible resource. Visitors to the website can sign-up to the Government Brexit Update newsletter service, and dedicated social media channels have also been launched. Since the re-launch in late September, the website has had over 17,000 visitors and the @BrexitReadyIRL Twitter account now has over 6,000 followers.
As part of this campaign, the first phase in a series of whole-of-Government Getting Ireland Brexit Ready public outreach events have been held across the country in Cork (5 October), Galway (12 October), Monaghan (19 October) and Dublin (25 October). Further events are planned for later this month. With more than 2,000 attendees, these events showcased the extensive work of the Government’s Departments and agencies, bringing together this experience and expertise in a ‘one stop shop’ for citizens and businesses in particular. The events provide an opportunity for interested individuals and businesses, including in the agrifood and tourism sectors, to access advice and information about Brexit preparedness and the range of support measures and resources the Government has put in place.
The positive impact of the workshops is reflected through the increase in interactions with the Brexit supports offered by State Agencies. For example, Enterprise Ireland has recorded a 92% increase in Brexit Scorecard completions from September to October, as well as a 62% increase in interactions on its website. Similarly, Fáilte Ireland noted an 18% increase in views to their Brexit webpages subsequent to the October Getting Ireland Brexit Ready events.
The Getting Ireland Brexit Ready campaign is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, working closely with other Government Departments. The logo design, advertisement, and creation of video content were outsourced to external agencies.
