Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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130. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff dedicated to managing Ireland's response to the decision of the United Kingdom to exit the European Union; the structure of this team; how they will work with teams in other Departments; who has overall responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20301/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A senior official has been nominated to oversee my Department’s input to management of the national response to the outcome of the UK referendum on withdrawal from the European Union. That input is managed primarily through the participation of my Department in the work of both the Interdepartmental Group of senior officials which is addressing bilateral and national interests affected by a UK withdrawal, and the Senior Officials Group which supports the Cabinet Committee on European Union Affairs. Both the Interdepartmental Group and the Senior Officials Group are convened and chaired by the Department of An Taoiseach.

Management of the bilateral and national interests affected by a UK withdrawal is a matter of absolute priority and relevant members of staff are engaged on the issues involved on an ongoing basis. I am satisfied that the Management Board in my Department will continue to ensure, having regard to the discussions at the Interdepartmental Group of senior officials and the work of the Cabinet Committee , that appropriate arrangements on Department-wide oversight and action are in place .