Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will not make any comment on that. The report Senator Ardagh mentioned, the Copenhagen Economics study, was commissioned by the Government, and the Government is already taking steps to ensure that the impact of Brexit is minimised. Therein lies the question: how will we know what the real impact of Brexit will be until we see the final outcome? The Tánaiste, the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy McEntee, and the Taoiseach have been very strong across Europe, as was iar-Thaoiseach, Deputy Kenny, on the views of Government. The report commissioned by Government is there to guide and help us to prevent the worst from happening. It is important to recognise that the Government is taking action, despite what Senator Ardagh says. It has already taken steps to prepare the economy. If one looks at budget 2018, we have the Action Plan for Jobs in the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, a new Brexit website, the rolling out of the Brexit loan scheme worth up to €300 million, including the development of a longer-term loan scheme, and the announcement of a €25 million response loan scheme for the agrifood sector, along with the provision of a range of grants and incentives to businesses. I appeal to Senator Ardagh to bring her business to the local enterprise office to find out about these schemes and engage with them, if she has not already done so.

Brexit is important, and that is why this House supported the continuation of the Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union engagemtn north, south, east and west. Senator Feighan referenced this as it concerns the North. That is important, and we will have an ongoing debate about Brexit in this House. It is important to ensure that Government is ready, and it is being proactive.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the national planning framework, as did Senator Wilson. I am happy to have a debate on the plan when it is published on Friday. In response to Senator Boyhan's direct comment, my information - and if I am wrong I am happy to stand corrected - is that no vote is required for the national planning framework plan. We certainly will have debate on the matter in the House. I have no issue with that. It was never intended that there would be a final vote on the development plan. There has been engagement and consultation with all sides of the House. Members of this House made submissions. The important point now, in the context of Senator Davitt's contribution on the national development framework and national plan, is to ensure that the regions benefit from such a plan with the investment that so many Senators call for every day.What we are doing in the national development plan is investing so that we can have opportunities for people to grow businesses and create jobs in areas outside of Dublin, be it in Mullingar, Athlone, Cork, Carlow, Cavan, Roscommon, Limerick or wherever. The national planning framework will incorporate Ireland 2040. It is an ambitious plan for our country and I hope that we will all get behind it, wear the green jersey and put aside the narrow focus of our parochial interests. The latter bedevilled Fianna Fáil in the past in the context of its national spatial strategy, which was a disaster. I think the Fianna Fáil Members would have to acknowledge that.