Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There has been much speculation on possible scenarios, including ifs, buts, ands and maybes. It is clear that while we have heard a lot of expert opinions, none of us here is an expert. Everyone involved in the negotiation process here, in Britain and across Europe never envisaged having to have a debate along these lines. It was never envisaged all those years ago that Article 50 would ever be invoked. Nonetheless it is the reality we now have to face.

In the time allowed, I would like to focus on the sectors for which I am responsible as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. These include forestry, horticulture, organic products and food, in particular. The agrifood sector faces one of the more acute challenges from Brexit. It is in the eye of the storm, and certain sectors within it are exposed to the potential implications of a negative outcome from the Brexit negotiations. To put our dependence on the UK market in context, in 2016 we exported €4.8 billion worth of agricultural products to the UK, representing about 39% of our total agrifood exports. Our imports came to €3.7 billion, which represented 47% of our total agrifood imports. It is not just about the figures but also about the intricate, ongoing and long-established relationship between both islands, which has made each of us an important trading partner for the other. It is important to note that the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, saw fit to insert in her letter triggering Article 50 a specific paragraph dealing with some of the North-South issues, as well as the UK's relationship with Ireland which dates back many centuries, long before the EU was formed.

The areas of forestry and horticulture, for which I have specific responsibility, would be very exposed to a negative result from the Brexit negotiations. They have a particular dependence on the UK market within an EU context. Our priorities ore clear. We wish to have continued unfettered access to the UK market, without tariff, and with minimal additional customs and administrative procedures. In addition, we are asking that the UK market be kept viable for Irish producers by minimising the risk from UK trade agreements with third countries. In the short term, our immediate concerns have centred on the significant drop in the value of sterling against the euro. We have attempted to address these challenges primarily through the measures announced in budget 2017. These include further additional funding for Bord Bia of €3.6 million, a new €150 million low-cost loan scheme, additional agri-taxation measures, and increased funding under the rural development programme and the seafood development programme.

The more medium to long-term impacts of Brexit include new trading arrangements and possible tariffs, changes to regulations and standards, Border controls and certification and the related areas of veterinary and health certification. Some of these overlap a number of Departments.

To ensure the process works well we have put in place a number of practical steps. These include: establishing a Brexit response committee and a dedicated Brexit unit in the Department; the creation of a stakeholder consultative committee complemented by frequent contact with representative organisations and companies on an ongoing basis; close consultation with State entities, Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Enterprise Ireland in particular; and the addition of Brexit as a standing item on the agenda of the Food Wise 2025 high level implementation committee.

To address some of the comments and observations that have been made, the Minister, Deputy Michael Creed, and I have engaged in meetings with our counterparts in Northern Ireland, the UK and other member states. Since St. Patrick's weekend we have met the German, Dutch, Belgian, Danish, Estonian, Polish, Luxembourg and Austrian Ministers, and today the Minister met the French Minister, to try to build up alliances in the fishing and other sectors so that in the negotiations Ireland's special relationship with the UK as a market is acknowledged.

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