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Brexit Preparations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020

Tuesday, 14 July 2020

Ceisteanna (453)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

453. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the preparations for a post-Brexit deal between the European Union and the United Kingdom; the measures in place specifically if no deal is reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15794/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government has always been clear that Brexit will mean change. Whatever the outcome of the EU-UK future relationship negotiations, the UK will leave the Single Market and the Customs Union at the end of the transition period. Therefore, even the best possible FTA between the EU and UK will impact supply chains and trade flows and will involve checks and controls in both directions on EU-UK trade.

With less than six months until the end of transition, work to ensure Government, business and citizens are prepared is of the utmost importance. Yesterday I brought a Brexit Memo to Government including a comprehensive update on Brexit Readiness and Contingency Planning across Government. Given the limited progress in negotiations between the EU and the UK on a future partnership agreement, we have intensified preparations across all Departments on the basis of two scenarios: (i) a limited FTA (and accompanying fisheries agreement), or, (ii) no trade deal (i.e. a hard Brexit ). While Ireland fully supports the closest possible relationship between the EU and UK, prudence dictates that we approach our planning on this basis.

In focusing on the two scenarios set out above, we will continue to undertake this work in three distinct but overlapping streams: work for which the Government is the lead; addressing the needs of sectors and business impacted by the UK’s departure; and societal and citizen focused issues.

Since 2018, significant investment has been made in the infrastructure and systems required for the additional checks and controls for trade in both directions with the UK, at Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort, as well as at Dublin Airport. The work at Dublin Airport is now complete. Substantial work is also complete on a number of projects at Dublin and Rosslare Ports and further facilities will come on line by the end of 2020 to further enhance the capacity already in place.

The UK landbridge will continue to be of paramount strategic importance to EU operators, especially Irish operators, as a means of accessing the EU Single Market. Working with our partners, progress has been made on addressing concerns over checks and controls on goods moving under transit, including recently in relation to SPS checks under the new Official Controls Regulation. Even with these issues addressed, the way in which traders use the landbridge will change. A communications programme is planned to advise traders of these new processes.

Brexit comes at a time when businesses and the economy are already heavily impacted by the COVID19 crisis. The Government acted swiftly and decisively in terms of COVID-related supports to businesses. Brexit preparation will necessarily be part of a wider business recovery agenda and we will look at how best business supports can be deployed in support of Brexit readiness.

Our approach to readiness work will continue to be underpinned by a strong communications and stakeholder engagement programme. Central to this will be supporting business readiness for the new trading environment at the end of transition. I will continue to chair the Brexit Stakeholder Forum, which will meet again in the coming weeks.

On 29 May, the Government approved the preparation of a scheme for a new Brexit Omnibus Bill to ensure appropriate legislative underpinning of necessary mitigation measures. I expect this Bill will be brought before the Oireachtas in the autumn.

Preparations are also ongoing at EU level. On 9 July the Commission published a Communication on Readiness at the end of the transition period, focusing on the preparations that will be required for the changes inevitably arising in all scenarios when the UK will no longer participate in the EU's Single Market and Customs Union. The European Commission is currently updating its 102 readiness notices to provide useful advice to businesses and citizens on how to prepare for Brexit. These are available on the European Commission website.

The Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, will apply at the end of the transition period regardless of the outcome of the EU-UK future relationship negotiations.

Preparing for the change that Brexit will bring is a key priority across Government. This work has intensified and will continue in the period ahead. We remain committed to doing everything we can to ensure that citizens and businesses are as ready as they can be for the end of transition.

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