Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to be contributing to the debate on this essential legislation. It is groundbreaking that we have to introduce such legislation because of the decisions of others. It is vital that we put in place a contingency plan for the possibility of the United Kingdom crashing out of the European Union without a deal. Our preferred option is to have a managed and agreed Brexit. Even with an agreed Brexit, however, the exact consequences of Britain leaving the European Union are still a matter of concern. I am pleased, however, that the Irish Government has prepared for all eventualities. The Bill bears testament to that. A considerable amount of work has gone into it. While it is complex, I appeal to all Dáil colleagues to get behind it. The time is here for us all to wear the green jersey.

In Britain, the ground continues to shift regarding the direction Brexit will take. In many respects, we are spectators as the drama unfolds. While divisions are clear in the United Kingdom, the European Union has shown a united front during the negotiations. Members have reinforced the position that the fundamentals of the backstop are beyond amendment. The backstop is a mechanism that the Irish Government hopes will never be used, and we can only hope the upcoming votes in the UK Houses of Parliament will lead to an agreed deal rather than a disorderly departure.

With regard to my responsibilities, I am satisfied that all that can be done in the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has been done. In particular, the Department of Rural and Community Development has funded programmes and schemes that are vital in supporting urban and rural communities in managing the impact of Brexit. Uncertainty and the potential impact on local economies and communities reinforce the importance of building sustainability and resilience within communities. We must build greater flexibility into our funding programmes to respond effectively to the emerging needs. In that respect, the Department is committed to a strategic review of its funding priorities. This is a key consideration whether there is an orderly Brexit or no deal at all.

The impact of Brexit is uncertain but we are preparing and supporting regions that may be affected adversely. We are conscious of the consequences of a disorderly Brexit on rural communities. Agriculture, in particular, is likely to be significantly affected. Right now, more than 15% of Irish goods and services exports are destined for the UK market. This figure is much higher in the agrifood sector, where an average of 40% of exports go to the United Kingdom. Wherever there is greatest need, we will act. I very much welcome the commitment shown by my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who has been unequivocal in his willingness to offer significant and substantial support to all parts of our agriculture industry, including those facing the most acute threat from Brexit.

In particular, beef is a major part of the agriculture industry in my constituency of Galway East and it is important that we create resilience for the beef trade.

Agriculture is the lifeblood of our rural communities and we have shown commitment to support our farmers with a variety of pre-Brexit measures, in particular for the beef industry. However, it is equally important that we explore the new options and markets as a way of insuring ourselves against our reliance on trade with only a narrow range of partners. It is important that we look to the rest of Europe and Asia, specifically China, for further markets. I was on a trade mission to China two years ago negotiating beef trade and I am delighted that market has opened up. We need to explore more of these markets to make sure that we have other markets for our beef and we continue to thrive as one of the best producers of beef in the world.

We are seeking commitments and financial support from Europe to offset the economic impacts that Brexit may bring. Europe has also provided support to our communities in the form of LEADER funding and we have been able to use that funding for Brexit contingencies. For example, last October, we broadened the eligibility for the €15 million LEADER fund for small food businesses to help them face post-Brexit challenges.

In my role as chairman of the task force on the implementation of the Atlantic economic corridor, I know full well the impact that Brexit will have on the west, particularly in rural areas. The task force provides a forum on which we will build resilience and work together for the common good of the region. It is a target of the programme for Government that we achieve balanced development in this country and the Atlantic economic corridor takes on a significant role in ensuring we do this. Counties from Kerry as far as Donegal are important drivers in our regional balanced development and we need to push on with the corridor. I take on that task.

We need to create better connectivity. I was pleased with the comments of the Taoiseach this morning regarding the NBP. We need connectivity if we are to be resilient in rural Ireland. We need to ensure we have fibre broadband for every home, and we need to do that in a way that is fair and equitable so nobody is left behind. It is even more important that we meet that challenge with the advent of Brexit, whatever form it takes. We need to ensure that we have connectivity to make business better, more resilient and more efficient throughout the country.

The Western Development Commission will also play a major part in development in the west. Our Department has granted more funding to make the commission more Brexit-resilient and to develop more jobs in the west. Regional assemblies are preparing their strategic plans for the next five years at the moment. They are preparing those by including Brexit issues and making sure that we deal with the issues now in a way that allows us to plan for the future.

The NDP has allocated €110 million for the next ten years. It is important that we make sure that funding is flexible and can adapt to changing needs that may arise in the next number of years.

Transport connectivity through our airports and infrastructural development must ensure direct connectivity with Europe. That must happen in a way that ensures that we get our TEN-T maps back to where they were and ensure we are in a position to draw down whatever funding is required. I am particularly talking about the western region, the western rail corridor and the roads and infrastructure in the west that need development to ensure we reach our full potential.

Ireland will be the only English-speaking nation left in the European Union post Brexit. We need to harness that potential and become the anchor for the world to reach Europe. We can easily do that by ensuring that our embassies continue to sell Ireland as the place to come in order to be introduced to Europe.

I was at the global telecommunications showcase in Barcelona last weekend. There were 27 Irish companies with stands displaying their products and doing business with the rest of the world. That is the type of forum we need to have to ensure Ireland remains a strong leader in the digital age. We will reach our full potential within Europe by doing that. While in Barcelona, I met some Ministers from other EU countries. They are totally behind us in everything we do. We have that European support. We have the full support of the people of this country and all politicians to ensure that the greatest challenge we have ever faced is met head on and in a unified way. I look forward to working with my Government colleagues and everybody in the House to ensure that happens.

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