Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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769. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the member states that have representatives on the EU’s advisory committee on state aid; if she made any representations since the UK’s Brexit referendum to the committee to consider increasing current minimum state aid rules for enterprises in sectors that will be adversely impacted by a hard Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17643/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with Council Regulation No 2015/1588 of 13 July 2015 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to certain categories of horizontal State aid (codification) the Advisory Committee on State Aid is a consultative forum. The Commission is required to consult the Advisory Committee on State aid when publishing draft Regulations and/or before adopting any Regulations on De Minimis or Block Exemptions. The Advisory Committee is composed of representatives of all Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission. The consultation takes place at meetings called by the Commission. The Agenda for the meetings is set by the Commission.

Given that Brexit has created new challenges for Irish companies,   we are already working closely with the EU Commission and our EU partners to ensure that we have a shared understanding of the implications and effects of the UK's departure from the EU.

My Department, working closely with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), EI and stakeholders (such as SFA, ISME, IBEC and Chambers), has conducted a structured engagement with a diverse range of companies across sectors and regions. The purpose of this engagement is to construct an evidence base on which appropriate, tailored and targeted responses can be delivered to meet real identified business needs. The outcome of the structured engagement and analysis of the findings, along with market developments as a result of Brexit, will inform further discussions with the Commission and the development of any further initiatives to business.

In additional, my Department, Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) have measures in place to address the issues for companies such as diversification, cost reduction, innovation and price repositioning. My Officials are also exploring the potential to provide additional supports to business under State Aid rules.