Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

At Cork Airport also. In the context of the national planning framework and the aims to rebalance the country in terms of connectivity, I make a strong argument that there should be more support for Shannon Airport. I am sure the Tánaiste and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade would say the same about Cork Airport. It is a real concern in the context of Brexit, particularly because of the importance of Heathrow Airport in terms of connectivity to the mid-west, the west and other parts of the country.

I raise a particular issue for businesses in the mid-west, particularly in the medtech sector but it probably also applies to other sectors. The discussions I have had were specifically with companies in the medtech sector. There are notified bodies that are used in the sector which are UK based. A notified body is an organisation designated by an EU country to assess the conformity of certain products before being placed on the market. These bodies carry out tasks related to conformity assessment procedures set out in the applicable legislation when a third party is required. The medtech sector estimates that between 30% and 40% of medical devices are approved by UK-designated approval notified bodies. I know that discussions are ongoing, mainly in Brussels, on a reciprocal arrangement between Britain and the European Union to recognise each other's certification procedures, but if that does not happen, there will be a real threat to local jobs and the availability of medical devices for patients, which wouldbe a real concern. The Tánaiste is probably aware of it, but I know that the Minister of State at the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Taoiseach, Deputy McEntee, is aware of and that our permanent representatives are discussing this issue, but it is a real concern for the medtech sector in ensuring there is recognition of the UK notified bodies by the European Union and of EU notified bodies by the United Kingdom in order that the production of various medical devices by the companies in question in the mid-west and other parts of the country will not be disrupted. I ask the Tánaiste to be particularly aware of the importance of resolving this issue, on which there are discussions ongoing. I wanted to raise the issue because it has not been raised in the debate so far.

I want to refer briefly to a number of other sections in the Bill. The social protection provisions in Part 11 and the protection of employees provisions in Part 12 are really important because so many Irish people have worked in Britain at various times and their pension and social welfare arrangements will be affected.

There has been considerable interaction between the UK and Ireland over the years which has affected individuals. It is very important, therefore, that these sections are watertight in terms of protecting people's livelihoods, incomes and pensions. While relatively short, they are very important sections. Deputy Ó Caoláin noted that some health elements in the heads of the Bill do not feature in the Bill and the same applies with regard to social protection. I want to flag this to ensure there is full protection in this area.

I do not want to go into other parts of the Bill. It has many sections and all of us have concerns about particular sections. I am very concerned that businesses, jobs and workers are protected insofar as possible. We cannot fully predict what might come down the tracks but we must do so as best we can and put in place preventative measures insofar as we can, specifically the types of supports, connectivity and regulations that will be necessary to keep things flowing smoothly. If Brexit does not come about, we will all rejoice but if it does come about, either after a delay or on the expected date of 30 March, we need to have in place contingency plans and funding in order that we can preserve jobs and stabilise businesses. These are the main concerns I and others have and they have been expressed in the House.

We will support the Bill but there are actions outside the legislative provisions that can be taken to allow us do everything we can to protect Ireland's interests and citizens, as well as people in Northern Ireland, from what could be a fairly disastrous situation, particularly for the British people, but also for people here.

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