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Brexit Preparations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 February 2019

Tuesday, 19 February 2019

Ceisteanna (478, 480, 483, 484)

James Browne

Ceist:

478. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to protect the Irish beef industry in the event of a hard Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8304/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

James Browne

Ceist:

480. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he plans to protect livestock farmers amid growing uncertainty in relation to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8306/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

James Browne

Ceist:

483. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a Brexit support package for farming sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8309/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

James Browne

Ceist:

484. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he plans to ensure that beef holds its position within the UK market post-Brexit in view of the fact that there is little opportunity for market diversification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8310/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 478, 480, 483 and 484 together.

The agri-food sector is of critical importance to the Irish economy, and its regional spread means it underpins the socio-economic development of rural areas in particular. Brexit, depending on the outcome, has the potential to have a very significant impact on farmers and on the agri-food sector.

There are on-going discussions with the Commission regarding the difficulties facing Ireland, and the assistance that might be required for its agriculture, food and fisheries sectors.

I and my officials have been working very hard for quite some time to sensitise other Member States and the European Commission to the potentially very severe impacts of Brexit on the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors, and to the likelihood of specific supports being required in order to deal with these impacts. The institutions of the European Union are very well aware of the likelihood of a significant impact of a disorderly Brexit on Ireland’s economy because this has been part of the discussion from the beginning, and indeed this is explicitly recognised in the Commission’s own communication on contingency planning.

Most recently, I held a bilateral meeting with Commissioner Hogan to discuss the potential impact of a disorderly Brexit on the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors. We discussed the unique exposure of these sectors to the threat of a disorderly Brexit, and the challenges that it could present. I stressed the need to be ready to deploy a range of measures to mitigate the potential impacts on farmers and processors, including through traditional market supports and exceptional aid under the CAP's Single Common Market Organisation regulation, and increased flexibility under State Aid regulations. Commissioner Hogan reiterated the EU’s readiness to respond and support Ireland, and we will remain in contact on these issues as the situation evolves.

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