Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The bank has its own decision-making process. I do not know who make the decision, but he or she needs to communicate the reasoning rather than leaving a vacuum.

Senator Leyden raised the very important issue of Brexit. As he is aware, the Government has discussed the issue and planned for the eventuality of a Brexit vote which has, unfortunately, happened. In the Dáil today and during the weekend the Taoiseach outlined that this is a priority for the Government and every Department. The Government has developed specific structures around Brexit. For the information of the House, Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and Bord Bia are working closely with small Irish businesses to help to manage the many practical implications of Brexit.

A new Cabinet committee dedicated to Brexit and chaired by the Taoiseach has been established. It will oversee the overarching Government response to Brexit and the Department of the Taoiseach will co-ordinate the cross-Government sectoral approach, with a new division led by a second Secretary General in the Department of the Taoiseach. There will be a bigger and enhanced role for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on EU matters, including the transfer of staff from the Department of the Taoiseach to that Department. More strength will be given to the relevant Government Departments, agencies and overseas missions to ensure they are on top of Brexit, along with ensuring that the North-South axis is not forgotten.

Senator Craughwell made a very important point about the hard border versus the soft border. There was a very interesting article in theIrish Examinertoday - I am not sure if the Senator read it. It is a matter about which we need to be very clear. We cannot allow a hard border to return.