Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his response. The reality is that thousands of businesses operating in Ireland today are very dependent on the UK market. Many mortgages and salaries are dependent on having access to the UK market on reasonable terms. The fall in sterling and the possibility of tariffs and customs being reinstated is a doomsday scenario for many businesses. The message they want to hear next week is that the Government is prepared to provide tangible supports to help them work through these difficulties.

We all know the dependence of the agrifood sector on the UK market. For example, Deputy Brendan Smith has recently been raising issues around the mushroom industry. They must be practical measures that will make a difference. This will involve providing extra supports through the taxation system and through funding for Enterprise Ireland.

The challenges are acute. While there are opportunities for Ireland regarding Brexit, particularly in inward investment, from an exporting perspective it is about damage limitation and assisting firms to work their way through a very uncertain time. Many of them will be going to banks seeking working capital and support at a time when banks cannot be sure those firms will have access to the UK market in two and a half years' time without tariffs and customs charges. We must provide support, and next week must be a very important first step.

See this speech in context