Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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248. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his senior officials have discussed the possibility of increasing the number of diplomats employed across the EU to assist with planning for Brexit. [27832/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have had the opportunity to discuss Brexit and to discuss resourcing with my officials. I have indicated my desire to maintain an intensive programme of engagement with EU partners.

As you know additional capabilities and resources have been assigned across the Department to address issues arising from the complex process of the UK exit from the EU. Our approach has not been merely to recruit or assign additional staff, but rather also to prioritise Brexit in the work of our EU and our entire network.

The measures my Department put in place to manage the initial phase of our response to the UK decision to leave the EU remain under review as the negotiations on the UK’s exit from the EU intensify. I will ensure that the Department maintains the ability and agility to respond to new opportunities for Irish citizens and businesses.

I expect the exit negotiations to be complex and intensive and the Department may require additional staff resources if we are to increase our level of support across Government and across our network.