Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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181. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he and his Department have examined the full implications of a British exit from the European Union, if any particular corrective measures are likely to be required in its aftermath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20036/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been taking part in the work of the Interdepartmental Group on EU/UK relations which was convened by the Department of the Taoiseach in advance of the UK Referendum on EU membership, as well as the EU Senior Officials' Group that is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach. It contributed to the risk assessment conducted by the Department of the Taoiseach in advance of the Referendum, and actions relating to the Department are included in the Government's Contingency Framework, a summary of which was published last month.

In addition, the implications of a vote to leave were discussed by the Department's Management Board prior to the Referendum and, in light of outcome of the Referendum, it will continue to be reviewed by senior management, and appropriate arrangements will be put in place to deal with issues arising.

The Summer Economic Statement published last month included an assessment of the upcoming Referendum and in particular the potential impact on macroeconomic forecasts of a decision to leave. As noted in the SES, the Department of Finance will prepare a full macro-economic projection in advance of Budget 2017. This will include updated estimates of economic growth taking account of developments up to that time.

A key issue for my Department is Ireland's Cooperation Programmes with the UK that are co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund, including the North South PEACE and INTERREG Programmes. Immediately following the Referendum result, and in line with my Department's contingency arrangements, my officials contacted the Commission as well as representatives of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Scottish and Welsh Governments to underscore our commitment to the programmes and to discuss how they would continue to benefit from EU funding.