Written answers

Tuesday, 7 February 2017

Department of An Taoiseach

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Photo of John LahartJohn Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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90. To ask the Taoiseach if he will set out Ireland's red line issues before Britain triggers Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty and begins negotiations to leave the EU. [5331/17]

Photo of John LahartJohn Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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91. To ask the Taoiseach if the Government will commission a detailed assessment of the way in which Brexit will affect individual sectors of the economy to determine which industries may be adversely or positively affected. [5333/17]

Photo of John LahartJohn Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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92. To ask the Taoiseach the co-ordinator of Ireland's role in the Brexit negotiations. [5341/17]

Photo of John LahartJohn Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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93. To ask the Taoiseach his plans to appoint a Minister with Cabinet rank with special responsibility for Brexit; and his further plans to appoint an envoy with special responsibilities, and delegated staff, to deal with the Brexit situation. [5352/17]

Photo of John LahartJohn Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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94. To ask the Taoiseach the plans he and the Government have to involve both Houses of the Oireachtas in the ongoing Brexit discussions, policy formation and contribution to policy formulation. [5353/17]

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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96. To ask the Taoiseach if he will set out Ireland's red-line issues with regard to the Brexit negotiations prior to Article 50 being triggered. [5861/17]

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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97. To ask the Taoiseach the name of the person who will be the lead representative for Ireland during the Brexit negotiations. [6127/17]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 to 94, inclusive, 96 and 97 together.

The Government has identified its priorities for the negotiation process that lies ahead as our economic and trading arrangements, the Northern Ireland Peace Process including border issues, the common travel area, and the future of the European Union.

The Government’s preparation is extensive. Important organisational changes have been implemented in Government Departments and Agencies, with additional resources provided in key areas. Preparation to date includes the contingency work done before the UK referendum, intensified analysis and scenario planning carried out across all key sectors since, and extensive stakeholder consultation and engagement including through the all-island Civic Dialogue process. Substantial work has been undertaken across Government to identify the key strategic, policy and operational risks. A framework of seven workgroup streams has been established to further deepen the Government's Brexit analysis across key themes and sectors, including in relation to the economy. Advice from all workgroups will input to Government consideration of Brexit negotiation strategy and broader policy actions.

The issue of Brexit and the challenges arising for Ireland are of such importance and scale that I do not believe it is appropriate or sufficient to allocate overall responsibility to a single Minister, or to have it dealt with as part of one Department's responsibilities.

The issues involved concern all Ministers, Departments and Agencies and require a consistent and comprehensive whole-of-Government response. I am ensuring that a whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being developed, including through a Brexit Cabinet Committee which I established following the referendum result, which I chair and which will involve all Ministers as required. Decisions relating to EU/UK negotiations on Brexit will be taken at European Council meetings which I attend as Head of Government.

I have also restructured my Department to ensure that Brexit is treated as a crucial cross-cutting issue, including my creating an amalgamated International, EU and Northern Ireland Division, under a Second Secretary General. The work of this Division includes supporting the Cabinet Committee on Brexit and the Cabinet Committee on European Affairs.

Work on Brexit is also supported by the Minister and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who now have a greater role in EU matters overall, with a newly created EU Division and the existing Division dealing with Anglo Irish affairs both having important roles to play.

Across Government, relevant Departments, agencies and overseas missions are being strengthened to deal with Brexit.

I will continue to engage with members of the House on Brexit related issues through a wide range of methods including:

- weekly responses to Parliamentary Questions and to Leaders Questions;

- briefings for Party Leaders;

- making statements to the House before and after European Councils; and

- making statements to the House as required.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will be giving a detailed briefing on Brexit for all Oireachtas members on 22 February in the AV Room in the Oireachtas. The briefing will be open to all Members and will be led by the Minister but with active participation by senior officials in order to provide as much information as possible to members. This is part of the Government's efforts to be more proactive around the communications on Brexit and to keep the Oireachtas informed and engaged.

All political parties have been invited to the second Plenary session of the All-Island Civic Dialogue in Dublin Castle on Friday, 17 February. This will build on the sectoral consultation process and provide a further opportunity for the Government to hear the views of those most directly affected and political representatives.

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