Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank our invited guests for their presentations. A common feature in this process in recent years has been the need for clarity. As previous speakers said, trying to ask the right questions is quite difficult. In many ways we are still as confused now 30 days out as we were when we were three years out and the same questions apply today as they did then. The amount of investment being put into being Brexit ready is positive, whether it be from the July stimulus package or the budget introduced in October, but that still does not resolve the issue of clarity for businesses, and having clarity is the key.

I have two questions, one for Mr. Feargal O'Brien of IBEC and one for Ms Patricia King. Mr. O'Brien may be aware that a letter was issued by Revenue last week to businesses across the country on the arrangements for imports and exports that need to happen on 1 January next. When we talk about having clarity and a lack of confusion, it works both ways. Businesses can be as prepared as they want but there are issues involved for them when they receive a letter such as this one from Revenue. There will be a requirement for them to submit trade notifications for outbound exports to ports. The letter also states they would have to go back to the Revenue system again to declare when the export load had arrived at ports. There are a number of requirements Revenue expects businesses to have to do on 1 January. In fairness, it seems to have rolled back on one or two of them in terms of a second trader notification.

I am thinking of businesses in my constituency like Bulmers in Clonmel, which is part of the C&C Group and exports in high volumes. A letter such as that would have significant ramifications in terms of being prepared in January. Has IBEC received concerns over the letter being sent out to businesses that export to the UK? Have businesses been in contact with the witnesses in terms of what is expected of them from Revenue's perspective? We talk constantly about businesses having a Brexit team and weekly meetings. Changes are happening all the time, depending on what happens in the UK in terms of the negotiations in Europe, but how can businesses possibly be prepared when something like this is thrown at them out of the blue by ourselves six weeks out from Brexit? That question is for IBEC.

I have a question for Ms King as well. Could she expand on the German short-time working scheme? Have we done any research on how many people we expect would need it or would come under it next year? Is there an estimated cost element to how much it would cost the State? We talk about businesses not being as prepared as they should be for Brexit. It has almost been forgotten about, and understandably so, for many reasons in recent months. Are certain business sectors not as prepared as others for Brexit? I think of the farming community and agribusinesses. How can we support them to prepare for Brexit next month?