Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Structures have been put in place in the Department to address the potential challenges arising from Brexit, including assigning responsibility to a senior official for all Brexit-related matters. This senior official is leading the Department's input into the deliberations in terms of the framework established throughout the Government, and works in particular with the senior official appointed by the Taoiseach in his Department for all Brexit negotiations.

Today I had a meeting with the Secretary General, and Brexit was one of the issues we spoke about. Along with the Secretary General, I will meet the British Ambassador next Wednesday evening. A member of the general staff will be in attendance along with other officials from the Department of Defence. I had a bilateral meeting with my counterpart in the UK earlier this year in Poland at the NATO summit. In January or February I hope to visit Appledore, where the new ship is being built. On that occasion I hope to arrange a visit with my counterpart in the UK to discuss issues, including Brexit and how it will affect Ireland and the UK. It will have huge consequences for Ireland with regard to North-South relations, the Border and sea fisheries protection.

I have been assured by the Chief of Staff that although the mission in the Mediterranean will continue, the Naval Service has all of the capabilities necessary to be able to patrol our seas with the LE Eithne, LE Orla, LE Ciara, LE Róisín, LE Niamh, LE James Joyceand the LE William Butler Yeatswhile the LE Samuel Beckettis in the Mediterranean. In 2014 we had 1,127 patrol days and in 2015 we had 1,204. In 2014 the number of fishery boardings was 936 and in 2015 it was 1,079. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has responsibility for maritime issues and policy. We work closely with it and various agencies on fishing to ensure we are on top of our area of responsibility.