David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Earlier, I asked whether the Government is considering establishing a Brexit stabilisation fund and I want to ask the question again. It is important that we use all available resources of the State to ensure we protect the Irish economy and ensure businesses, exporters and farmers are protected. We have called for a €2 billion Brexit stabilisation fund and we state it should come from the Irish Strategic Investment Fund and the rainy day fund. Some trade unions and others have called for a similar fund. It is necessary to ensure additional financial supports are put in place to support sectors of the economy that are vulnerable to Brexit. Two things are needed. The Government must step up to the plate financially with a Brexit stabilisation fund and the European Union needs to complement this with additional financial supports and an easing of state aid rules. The Tánaiste did not answer these questions earlier. Will he commit to the establishment of such a fund in the State? Will he outline to the House precisely what the European Commission is looking at with regard to additional supports and state aid?

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