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Brexit Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 December 2018

Wednesday, 5 December 2018

Ceisteanna (78)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

78. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the contingency action he and the HSE are taking in the context of the United Kingdom possibly leaving the European Union without a deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50711/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government’s overriding priority at present is to work towards the finalisation of the draft Withdrawal Agreement and the political declaration on the EU-UK future relationship.

However, any Brexit scenario will mean considerable change and impact for Ireland. Government Departments and Agencies are undertaking extensive and detailed Brexit preparedness and contingency work. Co-ordination of this whole-of-Government response to the UK withdrawal from the European Union is being taken forward through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Contingency planning for both a “central case” and for a “no-deal scenario” bringing together the detailed work being undertaken by individual Ministers and their Departments on issues within their policy remit is well advanced. Its focus is on the immediate economic, regulatory and operational challenges arising.

My Department, the HSE and other Health Agencies have been taking forward detailed Brexit preparedness and contingency work related to the impacts in the area of health of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, with or without a deal. A number of issues are being examined and contingency planning for a range of eventualities is underway. A key issue will be to ensure that there is minimum disruption to health services and that essential services are maintained on a cross-Border, all-island and Ireland-UK basis.

Of particular relevance to citizens is the work on the Common Travel Area to ensure that the arrangements by which Irish and British citizens can live, work and access public services in each other’s countries will continue into the future in any Brexit scenario.

In a number of key areas the appropriate response and mitigation will be at EU level and the Government is continuing to engage actively with the Commission on areas of priority for Ireland. The Commission has flagged the particular impact of Brexit on Ireland in its recent contingency planning communications.

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