Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 29 April, the European Council adopted Guidelines establishing the framework for negotiations with the UK on its exit from the EU. On 22 May, the Council of Ministers at 27 adopted a decision authorising the beginning of the negotiations, which are expected to start soon after the UK general election.

The negotiating directives under which the talks will be conducted reflect Ireland's unique concerns - support and protect the achievements, benefits and commitments of the peace process; avoid a hard border; and protect the Common Travel Area.

Now that the terms on which the negotiations are to be conducted have been established, the Government has stated its intention to intensify its focus on the economic implications of Brexit, including on domestic policy measures to reinforce the competitiveness of the Irish economy; to protect it from potential negative impacts of Brexit; and to pursue all possible opportunities that might arise.

Work is under way on a paper, which will be published in due course and which will draw on the extensive work already being undertaken across Departments, including sectoral analyses, and will reflect the core economic themes of my speech to the Institute of International and European Affairs of 15 February, including:

- sustainable fiscal policies to ensure capacity to absorb and respond to economic shocks, not least from Brexit;

- policies to make Irish enterprise more diverse and resilient, to diversify trade and investment patterns, and to strengthen competitiveness;

- prioritising policy measures and dedicating resources to protect jobs and businesses in the sectors and regions most affected by Brexit;

- realising economic opportunities arising from Brexit, and help businesses adjust to any new logisitical or trade barriers arising;

- making a strong case at EU level that Ireland will require support that recognises where Brexit represents a serious disturbance to the Irish economy.

Policy decisions in support of these objectives will be reflected in, inter alia, the annual Budgetary process; the forthcoming National Planning Framework 2040; the new 10-year National Capital Plan; the review of Enterprise 2025; and sectoral policies and investment decisions in areas such as agriculture, enterprise, transport, communications and energy.

In taking this important work forward, the Government will continue to engage with stakeholders, including through the All Island Civic Dialogue process.