Dáil debates

Wednesday, 7 December 2016

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions

Brexit Issues

3:05 pm

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have met Tourism Ireland on several occasions, including formally at my office and less formally on other occasions. I am in constant contact with Tourism Ireland on various issues, including Brexit. It is a group I have met more times than any other, although often for only a very short time. We have discussed the issue of Brexit at great length. Tourism Ireland had a great deal to offer in that regard.

On cross-Border projects, the issues highlighted by the Deputy will be discussed in the plenary next week. The Government's commitment to the Narrow Water Bridge and A5 projects is as strong as it ever was. On the issue of a hard Border, I am not sure whether that specific issue was raised during my discussions with Tourism Ireland but I have spoken to many people about it. The issue of a hard Border has been addressed by my departmental officials with their counterparts in Northern Ireland. Brexit is a difficult matter to address because of the British Government's reluctance to spell out where it is going in that regard but models for all sorts of eventualities are being prepared, including a hard Border. My departmental officials are energetically engaged on these issues with their Northern Ireland counterparts.

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