Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I take the Deputy’s point. I am aware that the level of support that is needed is multifaceted. Deputy Smith referred to the impact of currency change. We know that is already having an impact on the competitiveness of Irish exports, in particular in the food sector. My view is that the bigger impact to be faced will be the nature of the negotiations that will take place on the trading relationship with the UK when it is no longer a member of the Single Market. It is only as those discussions take shape that it will be clear to us what kind of intervention we need to put in place, if any, but I believe support will be needed for Irish companies that seek to sell goods, in particular food, into the UK.

In response to the Deputy's point about roads, I have done my best to recognise the point by stating that in the criteria we have laid out for deciding where resources will go, we make specific reference to the regional consequences of Brexit. While I accept there are so many demands on the money and Deputy after Deputy raises different points each day – I do not refer to Deputy Brendan Smith – about where the funding should go – we have to try to make the wisest choices we can, which I will do my best to do, and I look forward to the support of the Deputy in doing that, if he can give it.

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