Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First of all, Deputy McDonald made a couple of points about the statement of strategy in the areas of water, mental health, energy and Northern Ireland political institutions. Obviously, the Department of the Taoiseach is central to all these Departments in the way that outcomes are achieved. I chair the Cabinet committee meetings which deal with many of these issues where the relevant personnel from different Departments and agencies appear before Government and report on progress made, or otherwise. These matters are published on a regular basis, as the Deputy knows.

In America, I said there were two overriding priorities on my return. One is the setting up of an Executive in Northern Ireland. The second is to deal with the clarification that we now have on the negotiating stance of this country in respect of our participation as a European Union negotiator arising from Brexit.

It is true that the two major parties in Northern Ireland, the DUP and Sinn Féin, have a principal responsibility to put together a functioning Executive for Northern Ireland, including all the communities and people there. That is something that I cannot impose on them, but I made it clear to Prime Minister May that we would not want to see in any circumstances a return to direct rule. Therefore, the options are limited. One either sets up the Executive within three weeks or not. If not, the Secretary of State can call fresh elections, introduce legislation to grant a further period of time, or else direct rule will be reimposed. If the latter is out, what is one left with? The first is a functioning Executive, which I hope can happen and which I have to be optimistic about. The second is further elections and the third is some further extension of time. I do hope that given these circumstances and in the knowledge that Article 50 will be moved, the politicians will get together, put the Executive in place, decide on a First Minister and deputy First Minister and get on with that particular business.

I have pointed out those two priorities which are really important. In respect of the facilities for Brexit, I can send Deputy McGrath some further information about this. There is a dedicated unit in the Department of the Taoiseach under a new second Secretary General. It works well with the European affairs section of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy, is the liaison person between both of those. If necessary, we will have an opportunity to call in specialist services or personnel who might be required for particular issues.

As we now prepare our response and contribution to the EU negotiating stance, that is a matter we will continue to re-examine. There has been a great deal of background work in preparation for all the options. I will not go into the details but I can furnish the Deputies with the numbers involved and refer to the opportunity to bring in specialist personnel if we need them.

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