Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There is already a very strong awareness and understanding at EU level of the potentially significant and unique economic impacts of Brexit on Ireland and an openness to exploring ways in which the EU can play a helpful and supportive role.

This was a particular focus of my meeting with EU Budget Commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, during his visit to Dublin in March, and in subsequent follow-up contacts. Commissioner Oettinger also met with the with Taoiseach, Minister Donohoe and Minister of State D’Arcy during his visit, which was focused on the negotiations for the EU’s 2021-27 Multiannual Financial Framework. The potential availability of support, if needed, for Ireland, and indeed for other countries or regions which might be affected by Brexit, will be considered during the MFF negotiations, which are at an early stage. I am glad that the Commission’s MFF proposals include a basis for taking that work forward.

At present, the European Investment Bank is already providing support for the Government’s Brexit Loan Scheme.

My colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, is also working actively, with the support of other relevant Departments, with the European Commission to scope and design schemes to support enterprises impacted by Brexit in line with State Aid rules. The EU Commission has approved a ‘rescue and restructuring’ scheme, which provides support to SMEs experiencing acute liquidity needs as a result of Brexit.

The Government is also working intensively to safeguard the significant financial support there has been for the border region of Ireland and for Northern Ireland, with almost €2.4 billion of EU funding having been provided for successive PEACE and INTERREG programmes. The current programmes have a combined value of over €550 million over the period 2014-2020, of which 85% is funded through the European Regional Development Fund. I welcome the Commission’s most recent proposal for a special new PEACE PLUS programme as part of the next MFF which will build on and continue the work of successive PEACE and INTERREG programmes.