Mr. Jim Breslin:

When I talked about the impact across sectors – some of the discussion has highlighted some of the areas - there are things which are currently automatic but will not be when the UK becomes a third country.

We have had two examples so far. One is in the area of food safety. When product is moving east-west at the moment, it is moving within the EU. If the UK crashes out, when product moves east-west, it will be coming from a third country and there will have to be a risk-based decision as to whether the documentation is pulled and there is a physical inspection. We are putting 61 staff into the HSE to do that. We are spending €6 million on staff. If we could have that €6 million to spend on patient care, I would much prefer it, but because Brexit is happening, that is what we are doing. Going from a situation that was seamless to one in which we have administrative overhead is an example of the impact Brexit has on this country and on the UK.

The Deputy referred to professional qualifications that are currently automatic. We will have a procedure that makes it smooth and seamless but it will require an extra procedure. It will not delay things, but while recognition of EU qualifications is automatic, we will have to have a means of saying we understand the standard of a UK qualification and will have to apply our system to recognise it here. It is an extra layer that will have to be built in.

On the question of awareness, we are actively considering our communications strategy. We are working through intermediaries, particularly health professionals, general practitioners and pharmacists, as well as patient groups. Mr. Hennessy can speak on that. There are particular patient groups that would have particular anxiety. If we can give them information, they will be able to talk to their membership as well. The Deputy asked about the content and timing. We are actively considering pushing messaging out in a more visible, public way.