Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018
907. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he is making provision for the eventuality of Brexit with particular reference to its implications for air and sea travel in view of the necessity to ensure easy travel access to continental Europe for Irish customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45346/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrexit and its potential implications for Ireland are being managed on a whole-of-government basis. My Department is represented on all relevant cross-Departmental coordination structures, and an internal Departmental Committee on Brexit meets on a monthly basis to oversee the Department's analyses and planning as the negotiations progress.
Contingency planning in relation to Brexit at both a national and an EU level is focused on preparing for a no-deal scenario or so-called “disorderly Brexit” and on a central case scenario involving a transition period based on the “status quo” and agreement on the future relationship.
The Department has continually stressed the importance that stakeholders, including in the aviation and maritime sectors, take all necessary steps within their control to prepare for Brexit, including the importance of undertaking contingency planning to minimise the impact of Brexit on their operations. We have also advised stakeholders to refer to the European Commission’s published Notices to Stakeholders in the field of transport.
Officials from my department continue to consult and engage with key Aviation stakeholders via the National Civil Aviation Development Forum, and other fora, on all matters relating to Brexit planning in the aviation sector.
The implications of Brexit for air and sea transport will only become clear once the negotiations have been completed and the future relationship between the EU and the UK have been decided. However, we do not anticipate that direct aviation services from Ireland to continental Europe by community carriers will be affected post-Brexit, even in a no-deal scenario. In terms of sea-travel, my Department and other relevant Government Departments are working with the key affected ports impacted by Brexit in making arrangements and planning to have the necessary facilities in place to deal with anticipated additional controls and checks. Planning in relation to the implications for a no-deal scenario is also underway. Similar preparations are underway in our airports.
