Mr. Michael Carey:

Yes, it is a significant new challenge facing businesses. The Deputy raised the food sector. This sector has been going through that challenge in the years since the 2016 vote on Brexit and has continued to progress. The UK remains the largest market for total exports, with €9 billion worth of exports going to the UK last year. The challenges companies have faced in all sectors have been well managed by the Irish companies preparing for those changes. The State agencies, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and others, have supported that transition well with information sharing, advice and education. That is ongoing as regards this upcoming change. I am totally confident that Irish businesses will be ready to manage their way through this step without any undue negative impact in the long term. The UK will always be a hugely important market for Irish exporters and we will find a way to work around it. Enterprise Ireland will also find a way to work with its client companies to support their challenges in this regard.