Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 3 July 2019

Committee on Budgetary Oversight

Summer Economic Statement: Minister for Finance

Photo of Declan BreathnachDeclan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. I normally do not comment a second time, but I omitted to ask this question. Economists we have met in this committee and the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, IFAC, have indicated the importance of being proactive rather than reactionary in the event of a disorderly Brexit. Questions clearly need answering as to whether the various plans are in place for EU support packages for the sectors that will be most impacted. Moreover, are we ready to deliver those packages should a disorderly Brexit happen? Recently the €100 million package for the beef sector has not filtered down despite the commitment to it. It would be disastrous if a disorderly Brexit happened in six months and the plans for EU supports were not in place and the packages did not kick in. Can the Minister assure the committee that in the event of having to take the fork in the road of a disorderly Brexit, the best laid plans for the vulnerable sectors are deliverable?

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