Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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595. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she has 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. [23285/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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On 29 March 2017, Prime Minister Theresa May formally notified the European Council of the UK's intention to leave the EU in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This means that the two-year exit process has now commenced.

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.

The Deputy will be aware that Ireland secured support in the recently published negotiating Guidelines. These Guidelines reflect Ireland's unique concerns regarding the withdrawal negotiations – to support and protect the achievements, benefits and commitments of the Peace Process, to avoid a hard border, and to protect the Common Travel Area, in conformity with EU law.

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.

In March of this year, the Government published a new Trade Strategy, Ireland Connected: Trading and Investing in a Dynamic World which supports an extensive programme of Ministerial-led trade missions, as part of a major drive towards market diversification - 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 orientated to reflect an increased focus on EU markets. 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.

The EU’s suite of Free Trade Agreements with 3rd Countries 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.

The UK's departure serves to reinforce the importance of the EU's Single Market for the 27 Member States who remain. Ireland has been a consistent supporter of the Single Market and we have consistently advocated the need to make further progress in the free movement of Services. Ireland was a cosignatory of a like-minded Ministerial letter to the Commission in this regard last November. Ireland has also been active at EU level in terms of making progress in relation to the Digital Single Market.

We must focus on strengthening the institutions of the EU, developing our existing trading relationships and building new ones.