Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that rather vague outline of the level of preparedness within the Government. I tabled a series of parliamentary questions that deal with the facts, the answer which I got. The Minister mentioned the Department of the Taoiseach is leading the approach on Brexit. In reply to a parliamentary question I tabled I was pretty stunned to hear the Cabinet committee on Brexit established under the Taoiseach has only met three times on 8 September, 19 October and 7 November and is due to meet again tomorrow.

Does the Minister believe the fact that it took the committee three months after the referendum result to actually meet shows any degree of urgency or priority? I am reminded of the phrase "fail to prepare, prepare to fail" because that is where we are right now. This is why we in Fianna Fáil firmly believe in the need for a Minister for Brexit to co-ordinate what is happening across Departments. For this committee to have met only three times since the referendum result does not give me any great confidence that this Government is prepared for the potential risks and, in some cases, the potential opportunities that Brexit may bring about for this country.

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