Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I met my counterparts, Mr. Simon Hamilton, MLA, Minister for the Economy and Mr. Chris Hazzard, MLA, Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland in July and November of this year at the North-South Ministerial Council.  Both council meetings considered the implications of the result of the UK referendum.  Full sectoral audits have been carried out by Departments of both the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government to identify the possible impacts, risks, opportunities and contingencies which may arise following the UK's intended withdrawal from the EU and consideration of these will continue at North-South Ministerial Council, NSMC, level. On 15 November last, the Minister, Mr. Hamilton and I joined the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and deputy First Minister for Northern Ireland at the official launch of Ireland's bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

I will be meeting the Minister, Mr. Hazzard, again in Armagh on Monday next at a transport sectoral meeting under the NSMC, where we will have more detailed discussions on the implications of the UK exit from the EU. With regard to tourism, the Minister, Mr. Hamilton, and I are scheduled to meet on 8 February 2017 in tourism sectoral format, where the implications of the result of the UK referendum on tourism  will be discussed. Separately, my officials continue to be in regular contact with their counterparts in Northern Ireland on transport and tourism matters.

Brexit is the highest strategic risk facing my Department and along with my officials I will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders, including other public and private stakeholders and with my Northern Ireland counterparts to address the implications of the UK exit in the most effective manner possible. As part of this process, my Department is arranging all-island sectoral dialogues on transport and logistics and on tourism and hospitality to be held in January 2017, to which Northern Irish stakeholders, including representatives from political parties, will be invited.

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