Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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1741. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26899/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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On 2 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 sectoral challenges. These plans will build on ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders, and will reflect the core economic themes of the Taoiseach'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.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department has a broad remit encompassing telecommunications, energy, climate, broadcasting and environment.

The ongoing work in my Department identifies potential impacts across each sector, defines specific priorities for the Brexit process and examines policy recommendations.

My Department has identified energy as the highest priority sector. Maintenance of secure energy trading between the UK and EU Member States is vital to sustain and maintain Ireland’s economic growth. In addition, maintaining the Single Electricity Market across the island of Ireland is a key priority.

I wish to assure the Deputy that I and my Department are working hard across Government and with our EU colleagues to prepare for Brexit and minimise the potential impacts on Ireland.