Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Some 200,000 jobs are dependent on exports to the UK. The figure of over €7 billion in exports, much of it in the agrifood sector, speaks for itself. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Michael Creed, has commented on it and has met with different groups. We have already had evidence of jobs in the agrifood sector being lost due to the situation regarding exports to Britain and currency fluctuations. It is important we reflect on the capacity of Enterprise Ireland in terms of companies exporting and IDA Ireland in terms of attracting foreign direct investment, in the context of the personnel numbers they have. The Minister will reflect on it very carefully before next week's budget.

This is a matter of the greatest urgency. As the Deputy pointed out, so many jobs are dependent on it for repayments of mortgages, building houses and maintaining family life in Ireland. It was brought very much to the fore this morning. It was a very opportune time for Enterprise Ireland to say innovation means business. It is very optimistic and is looking to the future where real opportunities exist and talking to people who, despite all the difficulties, are making significant progress. While the Government cannot do everything here, given the scale of what we have to contend with, we intend to put in a number of measures in so far as we can to Brexit-proof and support in a tangible way Irish firms exporting to the UK.

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