Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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263. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she and her Department have managed to secure assurances throughout the EU and beyond regarding the need for expanded market access through fair competition in the aftermath of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6635/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The UK’s exit negotiations from the EU will not commence until Article 50 has been triggered, which the UK Government have indicated they intend to do no later than the end of March 2017. These negotiations could take the maximum allowed period of two years to complete. Ultimately any deal on Article 50 will require the agreement of the EU Commission, Council and Parliament. 

There is a whole of Government approach in place focusing on Brexit issues and my Department and its agencies are to the forefront of this effort. 

It is hard to predict at this stage the full impact of Brexit. Much will depend on the nature of the future trade deal that will be negotiated between the EU and the UK. These negotiations are likely to be complex and multifaceted. 

Promoting diversified export markets in light of the potential impacts of Brexit is a key priority for my Department. This includes markets that are growing and have scale as well as markets where we are already well established but with potential for further growth. The programme of trade missions and trade events for 2017 includes a substantive focus on the EU and third country markets. In 2017 we have 42 Minister led trade missions to existing and emerging markets. These have been reorientated to reflect an increased focus on EU markets.

The EU’s suite of Free Trade Agreements with 3^rdCountries help to open new markets, break down barriers and provide new opportunities for Irish firms. These existing EU Agreements and new trade deals will continue to be important for Ireland. With a small domestic market, further expansion in other markets is essential to our continued economic growth. 

Ireland will continue to support the EU’s ambitious programme of negotiating new Free Trade Agreements giving Irish Firms expanded market access and a predictable trading environment in third countries. 

Enterprise Ireland is consistently working with client companies focussing on enhancing their competitiveness, capability and levels of innovation to assist them to diversify into new markets.