Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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69. To ask the Taoiseach if Ireland is in favour of Article 50 being invoked as soon as possible. [28163/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Since the UK referendum result in June, Ireland has been consistently clear that, while it was reasonable to allow some time for reflection and preparation for negotiations, it was fundamentally in the best interests of all for the UK to trigger Article 50 as soon as possible. In this regard, Prime Minister May’s comments over the weekend are welcome. We now have some clarity about the timeline for the process.

Article 50 will provide the framework for withdrawal negotiations. At a meeting of 27 EU Heads of State or Government in Brussels on 29 June, we agreed a number of principles, including that no negotiations should take place until the UK Government has formally triggered Article 50: this remains the case.

We expect that, further to Prime Minister May’s announcement, work will now step up at EU level to prepare for the triggering of Article 50 by next March at the latest. Ireland will remain centrally involved in these efforts in order to best defend and promote our interests.

Separate negotiations on the UK’s future relationship with the EU will also need to take place: here, we still await clarification from the UK government as to what type of relationship it will seek. As I have stated on previous occasions, from Ireland’s perspective, we would like the UK to have as close a relationship with the EU as possible, once it is no longer a Member State.

Ireland’s priorities in the period ahead remain unchanged. In all negotiations, the Government will seek to ensure that the best possible outcomes can be achieved for our citizens, for our economy, for Northern Ireland and for the Common Travel Area.

Work will continue to intensify across Government in the weeks and months ahead to achieve those objectives. It is important to remember that our preparations have been ongoing for over twelve months and that we have already progressed much important work, particularly in relation to contingency planning.

Finally, I would like to note that, until it formally withdraws from the European Union, the UK remains a full Member State, with all the existing rights and obligations that membership confers.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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70. To ask the Taoiseach the status of the work done by the group he set up under the auspices of his Department on Brexit. [28164/16]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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71. To ask the Taoiseach if he has set up a departmental task force to acquire EU agencies and research projects from the UK that may have to relocate from Britain after Brexit negotiations are completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28264/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together.

The Government has established a new Cabinet Committee on Brexit which I chair. The Committee will oversee the overall Government response, including both the economic impact and the negotiations at EU level and with the administrations in London and Belfast. This will be supported in its work by a Senior Officials Group on BREXIT which will build on the work which was undertaken by the Inter Departmental Group on EU/UK Affairs.

A Second Secretary General has been appointed to lead a new integrated division within my Department with responsibility for EU, Northern Ireland, British-Irish and International affairs.

The appointment is part of a series of actions I announced following the referendum. This includes the strengthening of the EU policy role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as the strengthening of other key Departments, agencies and overseas missions.

This will be complemented by existing structures. They include: the Cabinet Committee on EU Affairs and the EU Senior Officials Group which supports it; and a consultative group of external stakeholders, including ICTU, IBEC and other business representative groups and relevant NGOs.

In anticipation of Article 50 being triggered in early 2017, all Departments have been examining all possible models for the future UK relationship with the EU, from continued membership of the single market to a full exit of the customs union.

As well as intensifying analysis of the risks associated with Brexit, Government Departments are also working to identify opportunities that may arise.

This includes inward investment opportunities and relocation of EU bodies currently located in the UK. Sector-by-sector work in this area continues, with for example potential scientific/R&D opportunities being closely pursued by Science Foundation Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland and the IDA are in close contact with their clients on the challenges and opportunities presented by the referendum result. They have also extended their schedule of Trade Missions.

The IDA will continue to promote the attractiveness of Ireland as a location of choice for investment and talent and will seek to maximise opportunities that might arise. This is based on our unique competitive strengths and our position as an English-speaking country in Europe and in the eurozone.

Government will also continue to implement our clear strategy for driving growth in the financial services sector.