Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government recognises the enormous challenges that face Ireland as a consequence of Britain's decision to leave the EU, including for farmers and exporters, as a result of the currency changes the Deputy mentioned, for the tourism industry, which is so dependent on visitors from the UK, for the service industry and for individuals. As the Deputy said, what the British Government decides to do is a matter for it. However, we can control what we do and we can prepare. The Government's sub-committee on Brexit, of which I am a member, met this week. The sub-committee discussed the very important actions that have been taken. There is additional funding in the budget for the employment of extra staff by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to ensure our message is heard overseas. Notwithstanding the performance of tourism, it was decided to keep the VAT rate at 9% for tourism and hospitality, recognising the risk that there may be a fewer tourists coming from the UK. We are rolling out a new low-interest loan scheme to farmers valued at €150 million to help with cash flow. There is a new business support scheme related to risk sharing under this development. The Deputy may be aware that the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Doyle, arranged for a payment of just under €1.57 million to one of the mushroom producer organisations under an EU scheme.

We are acting to deal with the immediate consequences caused by the uncertainty and the fall in the value of sterling that have followed the vote. We are also planning ahead. The Taoiseach will visit Northern Ireland on 3 November and will meet all the party leaders and chambers of commerce. We will establish an all-Ireland civic forum to discuss the consequences of Brexit. It will be of particular relevance to Border communities which are most at risk from Brexit. The next North-South Ministerial Council summit will occur on 18 November in Armagh, which will give us an opportunity to discuss the consequences of Brexit with the Ministers from the North and work out how we can work together to meet those challenges head on.

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