James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the recent suggestion from the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, ISME, that the Government establish a dedicated unit within her Department to co-ordinate activities to counter the impact of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22772/16]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the recent suggestion from ISME that the Government establish a dedicated unit within the Department to co-ordinate activities related to the challenges and opportunities arising from the Brexit decision. Has the Minister considered that or taken steps in that direction?

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Lawless for raising this matter. A central co-ordination unit in regard to Brexit has been established in the Department of the Taoiseach. In regard to my own Department, given the breadth and diversity of policy and operational areas that are relevant to the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union, this is a matter that has an impact on, and is being monitored by, all the divisions across my Department.

Since the announcement of the UK referendum result on 24 June, as part of my contingency plans, I have established a co-ordination group within my Department consisting of relevant enterprise, Single Market and trade officials, together with the chief executive officers of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, to oversee the management of our immediate response, including messaging to businesses both at home and overseas. I chair this group and will continue to do so as part of my Department’s ongoing response as developments unfold at EU level and bilaterally with the UK. In addition, the EU affairs unit of my Department exercises a dedicated overall co-ordination role across all the relevant policy areas, and represents my Department in the work that is being undertaken at cross-government level, led by the Department of the Taoiseach, in response to the outcome of the referendum. This facilitates the framework for my Department’s interaction with other Departments in this regard.

The North-South unit of my Department, which co-funds and provides strategic oversight for InterTrade Ireland, the North-South enterprise development body, is actively working with that body to ensure that it will review and adjust its supports if necessary as new trading rules and regulations emerge. I have met with representatives of InterTrade Ireland.

The management board of my Department, chaired by the Secretary General, meets weekly and co-ordinates the Department's own response across all its divisions to the referendum outcome. As I have previously indicated, a team of senior officials from my Department visited London on 1 July to discuss Single Market and trade issues in light of the referendum outcome.

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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If I understood the Minister's reply correctly, there is a task force within the Taoiseach's Department as well as one in the Minister's own Department.

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Yes.

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Okay. I welcome the concentration of resources and effort on this matter. However, I must flag the necessity for collaboration and co-operation within various Departments on this matter. The Brexit decision has many facets, including the North-South and east-west dimensions, as well as international relations and the EU negotiations themselves. The particular focus of my question, however, is on the risk to jobs and industry, as well as other economic factors which come within the remit of the Minister's Department.

Brexit is here and it is real, so we will have to deal with the consequences. It is worth recalling some of the figures involved. Some 400,000 jobs depend on trade between Ireland and the UK. For small Irish businesses seeking to expand, the UK is usually the first target market, as it is for 43% of our exports. The UK is our nearest neighbour and largest trading partner. The consequences of Brexit, while worrying, must be dealt with now that they are here.

I agree with ISME's call for a dedicated unit within the Department to co-ordinate activities related to the challenges and opportunities arising from the Brexit decision. Many other bodies have also called for a co-ordination of such activities.

I was concerned by a reply to a parliamentary question tabled by my colleague, Deputy Niall Collins-----

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Tá an t-am thart. Go mo leithscéal, but táimid faoi bhrú maidir leis an-----

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Dhá nóiméad.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Tá sé thart.

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Dhá nóiméad.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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An bhfuil an-----

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Thirty seconds.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Tabharfaidh mé cúpla soicind don Teachta.

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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There are challenges but there are also opportunities, including in terms of attracting foreign direct investment here. In seeking to attract foreign direct investment, we must be cognisant of the challenges faced by our citizens in terms of the lack of available housing and school places and the lack of an integrated public transport system within the city and elsewhere, which are quality of life and cost of life issues. We will be competing against other countries targeting the same business and so it is essential if we are to remain attractive to the market that we tackle the challenges faced by our own citizens and potential new citizens who may wish to migrate here.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Tá mé ag brath ar an gclog. Is é sin an fáth gur bhris mé isteach ar an Teachta. Níl a fhios agam an raibh botún déanta. Gabh mo leithscéal arís.

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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We are very cognisant of the issues for people in this country. With regard to Brexit, I am happy that my Department's co-ordination group is strong. I wrote to every Deputy in early July pointing out what we have done and are continuing to do as a result of the British referendum result.

In regard to the Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association, ISME, I have met with ISME, the American Chamber of Commerce, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, the Irish Farmers' Association, IBEC, the Small Firms Association and the Irish Exporters Association. We are trying to manage our way. There is uncertainty but my Department is working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach to ensure we get the best deal for Ireland.