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Brexit Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 November 2020

Wednesday, 18 November 2020

Ceisteanna (47)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

47. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the details of same will be provided. [37188/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Since the outcome of the referendum in the UK became known my Department has been assessing the implications of the UK’s exit from the European Union. It is fair to say that from a transport perspective, based on these assessments and the analysis that has been carried out, it is not evident that Brexit will have any positive impacts.

What has been made clear, not only by my Department, but by other Departments whose policy areas are reliant on transport connectivity, is that the UK’s decision to leave the EU will fundamentally change the modalities of certain specific business sectors.  Any business that moves goods from, to or through the UK, excluding Northern Ireland, will be subject to a range of new customs formalities, SPS checks and other regulatory requirements that do not apply in any form to such trade today.

The Government has been planning for Brexit since before the UK referendum to ensure that Irish citizens and businesses are as ready as possible for all possible scenarios.  On 9 September, the Government published its Brexit Readiness Action Plan, which details the actions Government will take and the actions citizens and businesses should take to prepare for the end of the transition period.  Citizens and businesses should now finalise their readiness work for the end of the transition period. This work will continue in the weeks ahead.

While many aspects of our relationship with our nearest neighbour will change fundamentally on the 1st January 2021 as we will no longer share EU membership, my Department remains committed to protecting and strengthening the Ireland-UK relationship.  From a transport perspective my Department cooperates with the UK in a number of other sector specific international fora and we look forward to this continuing.

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