Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs for the work he has done in his Department in recent years, particularly on Brexit and on this and the previous Brexit Bills. I appreciate all of the work his Department has done to best prepare this jurisdiction for what will inevitably cause significant damage, not just to our economy, but also to our relations with the UK. Of course, all of that can be avoided if prudent steps are taken in the next few weeks to come to an arrangement that is to the mutual benefit of everyone on both islands and the EU. The kind of detailed forward planning that this Bill envisages negates some of the risks that this period will present to us. The pandemic and the economic uncertainty it has caused underscore the importance of effectively negating as many of the difficulties posed by Brexit as possible.

The decision by the UK to leave the EU is not one that we chose, but as part of the EU we have engaged with our UK counterparts in good faith, an act that has not always been reciprocated from the other side of the negotiating table. The Irish Government and its predecessors have planned for the event of a disorderly Brexit since the passage of the Brexit referendum. That has been reflected in successive budgets and placed us in a position where we can adapt to the challenges throughout the Brexit saga. Most recently, budget 2021 implemented extensive measures to address the concerns of businesses and industries affected by Brexit. Brexit preparedness was also at the heart of the July stimulus package, which provided among other measures €20 million for a Brexit support package to help businesses adapt to the coming changes.

Providing security and stability to sectors in the economy will reduce to the greatest possible extent job losses and economic fallout from Brexit. There may be some in opposition who will in future look for weaknesses or say that we have not done enough to prepare the country for the impact of Brexit, but any honest appraisal of successive Governments will show that we have done our best to meet the challenges and continue building a working relationship between the EU and the UK.

The UK Internal Market Bill developed by Downing Street has rightly drawn sharp criticism from a wide range of groups. Remarkably, it has been acknowledged by the British Government itself as breaking international law. The approach adopted by the British Government shows that we must prepare for the worst-case scenario and continue our constructive partnership with our European counterparts.

As an island economy, Brexit poses a threat to our import and export industries, which have been a major factor in our economy for a long time. Likewise, Northern Ireland's continued access to the Single Market is of paramount importance and will benefit everyone on the island of Ireland.

This Bill makes a variety of important and timely changes that will make the process in the period following the end of the transition period in December as smooth as possible. I will focus on two areas of particular importance, namely, changes to the Student Support Act 2011 and qualification and certification for working with fluorinated greenhouse gases.

The Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grant represents a bridge for a large number of students every year who would not be able to afford or continue their studies without it. The loss of this grant for students who rely on it would also represent a loss of opportunity. While not the be all and end all, attaining a third level degree provides all graduates with the best possible start to their professional careers. Every year, approximately 1,500 Irish students studying in the UK qualify for the SUSI grant. Likewise, approximately 200 UK citizens studying in Ireland also qualify for the grant support. These students qualify for this support based on an approved list of courses and institutions that is limited to courses and institutions within EU member states. Without the Bill, they will find themselves ineligible for the SUSI grant and therefore cut off from this vital support post Brexit. The changes detailed in the Bill will expand the definitions in the current legislation and include the UK as a third country. This will ensure that students will remain eligible for SUSI grant support and provide reassurances to them that they will be able to continue in their studies and work to the best of their ability to attain the highest level of academic achievement.

The Brexit omnibus Bill addresses important changes to the qualifications and certifications required to work with fluorinated greenhouse gases within the EU.

F-Gases are a category of greenhouse gases that have a major impact on climate change. These gases are used in aerosols, refrigeration and air-conditioning units. These gases were a particular focus of the Kyoto Protocol and have since been subject to further EU regulations. These regulations provide controls on leak checking, servicing and recovery of F-Gases at their end-of-life process. Furthermore, the EU has committed to reducing the use of these gases by two thirds compared to 2014 levels through phased reductions in imports.

As it stands, individuals and companies that hold qualifications or certification in the UK are eligible to operate in these sectors across the EU. This will cease to be following the end of the transition period in December. A free-of-charge process to gain Irish certifications in this field is ongoing and this Bill will extend by six months the period in which a qualification from the UK can be recognised. Furthermore, it will extend by four months the period in which a company can apply to gain Irish certification and by doing so continue to work in line with European Union regulations. I imagine Members will accept the importance of that.

We find ourselves placed in the centre of one of the most consequential geopolitical events to take place on our Continent since the foundation of the European Union. It is, to be sure, an unenviable situation, one made more complex by the delicate history experienced by people on the island of Ireland. Ensuring the continued functioning of the Good Friday Agreement is crucial to the long-term success of our communities. This is something to which we must remain committed in the face of such challenges.

In January 2021, things will change dramatically. We cannot escape that fact. The relationship, so long fostered, between our country and the UK will experience major changes. We did not ask for these changes but we will address them. When we reach the other side of this difficult period I believe we will see the fruits of the work done by successive Irish Governments to try to protect our economy, our peace and our people throughout every step of this process. In doing so, they have strengthened our relationships and position within the EU and opened new avenues of progress for people in the largest trading bloc on Earth.

I want to go back to what I started with, which was my compliments of the previous Government and this Government in dealing with Brexit. Let us consider where we were a decade ago in terms of our relationships in the European Union and the failure of the then Irish Government to attend meetings or to be a regular attendee at meetings. Let us compare that to the position we are in now. When European leaders speak of Brexit, Ireland is the first country mentioned not only in the context of the Good Friday Agreement but in the context of the relationships that have been built up during the past decade. That comes down to the extraordinary work done by successive Ministers, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, and others such as the former Minister, Deputy Charlie Flanagan. I wish to take this opportunity to note for the record my personal appreciation for the work they have done on behalf of all of us. As has been said by others, some of us hope this Bill will not be necessary but if it is required we have it ready. I thank the Minister for bringing it to the House.

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