Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is important to again put on the record of the House the enormity of the potential consequences for jobs, trade, travel, tourism and the agrifood sector in this country. Trade between here and the UK accounts for almost 400,000 direct jobs, and 43% of our exports go to the UK. We know that the ESRI has reported that there could be an immediate reduction in trade of up to 20% if the Brexit vote to leave is carried. Teagasc has also reported that there could be a huge reduction in the value of Irish agrifood exports, ranging from €150 million to almost €800 million. This puts it into context.

When I talk to people about this matter, such as people in the business or farming community or members of the general public, they feel that the Government does not have a handle on the plan we will deploy if the vote to leave passes. Have we a plan B? Has any scenario been planned in that instance? Are we hoping against hope that it will not happen?

Can the Taoiseach give us any kind of reassurance on the contingency planning that has happened? In his initial response he said that the Government has a clear plan in place but he has not given us any real detail? Who has been involved in drawing up this plan? How many Departments and State agencies have been involved? Can we get any kind of an insight into it? The campaign run by the Taoiseach and other political leaders was interrupted by the murder of Jo Cox, which we spoke about earlier, and I offer my condolences to her family and community. The European Movement office tells us of a huge British community here in Ireland that should have been influenced a little bit more. The Irish community in the UK could also have been influenced a little bit more. Will the Taoiseach comment on the contingency planning and give us a little more detail?

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