Written answers

Thursday, 24 November 2016

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Brexit Issues

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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243. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps his Department has taken to attract television broadcasters here under EU country of origin rules in view of the British decision to exit the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36782/16]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Audiovisual Media Services Directive is based upon the country of origin principle which means that TV broadcasters who obtain regulatory clearance in one Member State can make their services available in all Member States, without having to obtain separate regulatory clearances.

A large number of broadcasters who have established their businesses in the UK, have obtained regulatory clearance there, and are making their services available in other Member States, including Ireland.

Following the British decision to exit the EU, the continued longer-term application of the country of origin principle to UK-based broadcasters has come under question.  It is not possible at this stage, however, to determine what the outcome of that decision will mean for UK-based broadcasters as this will depend on the nature of the EU-UK relationship that emerges following negotiations.

As with other Government departments, the immediate focus of my Department is on seeking to identify the risks and opportunities that may emerge as a result of Brexit and to develop appropriate strategies for these.

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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244. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has established a specific Brexit preparation unit to prepare for the opportunities and threats of a British exit from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36783/16]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Government’s Brexit Contingency Framework sets out that all Departments should identify a senior official to oversee Brexit matters and to create a Top Management sub-committee to deal specifically with the implications of Brexit for their areas of work.

My Department nominated an Assistant Secretary to take lead responsibility for Brexit matters. Under the chairmanship of this Assistant Secretary a sub-committee, consisting of Principal Officers representing the various work areas covered by my Department, has been convened. 

This sub-committee has 11 members including the Chair reflecting the broad remit of my Department. The sub-committee will continue to meet regularly to ensure that my Department is prepared for the possible implications of Brexit. I would add that I as Minster participate in the Cabinet committee on Brexit and my Department is also represented on the Interdepartmental Brexit Group. This ensures a ‘whole of Government’ approach when dealing with Brexit.

Brexit is a standing item on the Agenda of my Department's Management Board which generally meets weekly and which is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department. It is also on the Agenda of my monthly meetings with the Management Board which examines progress on priority issues being addressed by the Department.

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