Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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262. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has undertaken any contingency planning for the effects of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union; and the areas in which this contingency planning has been undertaken and the key proposals that have been formed. [18977/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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My Department has been involved in contingency planning as part of the wider Government contingency planning in the lead up to the UK referendum. The Government has adopted an initial Contingency Framework which maps the key issues that will be most important to Ireland in the coming weeks and months.

On Friday last, the Government published a summary of the key actions that will be taken to address issues arising from the UK's decision. These include actions from agencies under my Department in relation to the potential impact on our tourism sector. Actions include  consistent marketing communications in the UK, the development of strategies to address competitiveness challenges should they arise, and the intensification of efforts to diversify reliance on the UK market.

There are also other potential risks identified by my Department across other sectors under my Department's responsibility and these are being monitored closely.  The Government Framework is an iterative process as issues emerge and recede in the course of negotiations and my Department is monitoring the evolving situation and will work with the Department of the Taoiseach, with other Government Departments and with our agencies in identifying and preparing contingency plans and actions and inputting these into the overall Government Framework.

The decision of the UK people to leave the European Union presents major challenges to all EU Member States but in particular to Ireland. The Government's focus will be to minimise any adverse impacts on our economy and on the free movement of people, goods and services on these islands. For my part, that will also be my main objective in respect of the transport, tourism and sports sectors.