Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is not possible to touch on all the points raised here in the minute I have. The points Deputies McNamara and Durkan raised are valid. They relate to all the challenges Brexit presents. My Department has been preparing for this eventuality since before the people of Britain voted to leave. We have been working extensively on it since. Part of the work has involved examining our dependency on the UK market and reducing it. Previous Governments have been successful in reducing it. In my area, new market development, it is a matter of considering the opportunities. One such opportunity involves increasing our access to Japan’s beef market, on which we had great success in recent months. We are continuing our work in areas such as South Korea and trying to get our beef back into China through ongoing diplomatic efforts on my part and that of the Minister, Deputy McConalogue. That is important.

Our trade with the UK, resulting in a proportion of 37%, is really important. In response to some of the concerns raised by both Deputies, we take great heart from the fact that the British consumer has very high regard for Irish food produce and trusts it as much as indigenous produce. It is regarded as being way ahead of the produce of others. There are threats and challenges in this regard but we are taking every step we can. The work of my officials is ongoing to make sure we are as prepared as possible.

On export certification, to which Deputy Durkan alluded, there is a new normal and businesses need to prepare for it. There will be a need for them to be aware of the changes that are coming. Most of them are aware. We encourage all of them to engage with our Department so they will be aware of the challenges they face.

See this speech in context