Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2019
84. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of state aid that will be made available in the event of a no-deal hard Brexit; the provision provided for same in the Revised Estimates; if he has sought permission from the European Commission for aid to specific sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11295/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation and its agencies have been working closely with the European Commission including DG Competition since November 2017 through the Irish/EU Technical Working Group on State Aid. Through the mechanism of the Technical Working Group Ireland has fully utilised the provisions of the State aid framework to enable the investment by Enterprise Ireland of €74 million in Brexit impacted businesses in 2018.
On 24th January 2019, Minister Humphreys met with the European Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager. The focus of the meeting centred on the severe challenges that Irish businesses will face when the UK leaves the EU and the need for appropriate and timely State supports. The Commissioner emphasised that the Commission stands ready to act urgently in mitigation against the impacts of Brexit on Irish firms.
