Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their valuable contributions, which we will take on board. I have taken a note from each of them. Today's debate has provided a helpful opportunity for further engagement on the matter of key importance for Ireland and the EU. The issues raised today will help to inform my Department's policy deliberations in this sphere, as we move towards the detailed negotiations that lie ahead.

A number of Senators have rightly mentioned the impact of Brexit at regional level. Of course, Brexit remains a key challenge across all the regions and especially, as the previous speaker mentioned, along the Border. While the full impact of Brexit is still uncertain, businesses around the country with significant exposure to the UK market, for example, in the agrifood sector, are already feeling the effects of the weak sterling. In addition, companies that had been considering scaling up their operations have put plans on hold in light of the uncertainty.

The implications of the Brexit vote and the challenges and opportunities that the decision poses for the regions has been discussed at meetings of the implementation committees for the regional action plan for jobs that have taken place since the June decision. I have attended those meetings. The regional action plans, which build on the template of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs, seek to build on local strengths and deliver jobs across every region, in partnership with the enterprise sector.

Senators will be aware that in regard to Brexit, the priority areas for this Government remain unchanged. In all negotiations, the Government will seek to ensure that the best possible outcomes will be achieved for our citizens, for the economy, for Northern Ireland and for the common travel area. I will ensure that my Department plays its part in this regard.

We will seek to preserve our existing full-market access to the UK in the framework of any future trade deal between the EU and the UK, and in line with the Government's position that access to the Single Market must be on the basis of full acceptance of all four freedoms - goods, services, capital and people - which is in accordance with the stated position of the EU.

As I outlined earlier, I expect to meet my two UK counterparts, the Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox, and the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark, in London shortly, where I will discuss issues of common interest in regard to the areas of Single Market and trade. I will also use these meetings to convey the Government's objective of ensuring the best possible outcome for all parties in the UK exit process.

Separately, I have already had valuable meetings at the European Commission and the European Parliament, conveying the unique impact of Brexit on Ireland to the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, the Commissioner for Trade, and the Chair of the Internal Market Committee of the European Parliament. In addition, senior officials from my Department have ongoing engagement with their UK trade and Single Market counterparts in London to monitor relevant EU-related issues relevant to my Department.

Following the recent announcement by the UK Prime Minister, Mrs. May, of the March date for triggering the Article 50 process, it is essential for Ireland and Europe that the transition process now moves forward in the most pragmatic manner. In this regard, the Government, including my Department, is continuing to intensify our preparations and to develop risk analysis and contingency plans. Of course, Senators will appreciate that detailed contingency planning is challenging given the lack of certainty in regard to what new trading and other arrangements may be put in place between the EU and the UK. As part of these preparations, I will continue to lead the co-ordination of the ongoing response, both of my Department and of the enterprise agencies to challenges as they emerge. I will continue to maintain open communication channels with colleagues at EU and UK level in order to ensure the best possible outcomes. I again assure Members of this House, that the Government, my Department and the enterprise agencies are fully committed to supporting business and all of our stakeholders in this period of heightened uncertainty.

I was asked about the CETA agreement. The provisional application of the CETA agreement has been approved by a Government decision. This is for provisional application of the agreement and approval by both Houses is not required at this stage. Approval of the Dáil and Seanad will be required for the final ratification of CETA.

I was asked about InterTradeIreland. InterTradeIreland is one of the North-South bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement. It has a targeted portfolio of programmes to assist businesses, especially SMEs, including to stimulate cross-Border trade. Already in the first part of 2016 it has had a job-creation impact of 739 people and 1,512 companies were engaged in cross-Border business through Enterprise Ireland's programme. I have met representatives of InterTradeIreland in this context when we were discussing the action plan for jobs for the Border region.