Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. We very much support the Finance Bill but there are nonetheless some huge concerns. As we have heard today, with the potential for a no-deal Brexit, there may be a significant impact on the agricultural sector. Within the budget there is roughly €340 million for Brexit measures and I know there is a €5 billion EU fund that is available to the 27 member states, and we will be able to access early next year. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, was in the House last week to speak about that. We need to work closely with colleagues to see how we can access that fund very quickly at the start of the new year. It is shocking to think there will be such a high level of tariffs on agrifood going outside Ireland to the UK, which is one of our largest markets.

There are some other elements of the budget I want to commend, including supports for businesses and people in precarious jobs, as well as people who have lost their jobs in the hospitality sector. It is absolutely shocking, and the temporary wage subsidy scheme, now the employment wage subsidy scheme, and the pandemic unemployment payment have saved families this year that have been in really difficult positions.We very much welcome and support the Bill but I still have major concerns about Brexit and how we must be able to access funding very early next year.