Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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130. To ask the Taoiseach the threats identified by his Department with regard to the responsibilities of his Department as a result of no deal being reached in Brexit negotiations. [26910/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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On 2nd May, the Government published a comprehensive document on Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This document sets out the approach of the Government to the forthcoming negotiations, following the successful campaign to have key Irish issues recognised in the EU negotiation position.

Following on from this publication, work is underway to prepare a further paper on economic implications of the Brexit challenge. This will draw on the work to date across Departments, which will be developed to mitigate emerging sectorial challenges.

These plans will build on ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders, and will reflect the core economic themes of former Taoiseach Kenny's speech to the IIEA on 15 February last.

Ireland’s economic interests lie firmly in a strong and well-functioning EU with continued and unfettered access to the single market. There is a lot of negotiation to be done around trading arrangements. Our contingency work is examining all scenarios and we cannot pre-empt the outcome at this stage. We are not under any illusions about the complexity of these negotiations and are engaged in detailed planning to prepare for these.

In my Department an amalgamated International, EU and Northern Ireland Division was set up to ensure that Brexit is treated as a crucial cross-cutting issue. All Departments and Agencies have been charged with making Brexit a priority. There is strong co-ordination at key levels across all Government Departments, including through the Cabinet Committee system.

In addition, a team of experienced senior officials from key Departments, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and my own Department, is preparing for the complex negotiations.Furthermore, each Government Departmenthas developed thorough analysis of the critical issues which need to be addressed in their sectors. Consultation and engagement with a range of stakeholders has been extensive and is ongoing.

The structures and arrangements in place are appropriate to the nature of the tasks to be managed in the context of the challenges arising from Brexit, including the risks associated with the possibility of no deal being agreed in the negotiation process.