Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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149. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the development of sectorial response plans to Brexit; the publication date of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33344/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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On 2 May 2017, following the triggering of Article 50 and the adoption of the EU’s negotiating directives, the Government published a position paper on Brexit.  The paper reflects the stated Government priorities of minimising impact on trade and the economy; protecting the Northern Ireland Peace Process; maintaining the Common Travel Area; and influencing the future of the European Union.

Following publication of the paper, sectoral Brexit response plans are being prepared by relevant line Departments with responsibility for individual sectors with a view to mitigating emerging sectoral challenges.   These plans will build on ongoing cross-Government research and analysis and consultations with stakeholders.

For my Department a key issue is the impact of Brexit on the EU-funded cross-border programmes, PEACE and INTERREG.  The programmes are important drivers of regional development in a cross-border context and have allowed a range of Departments and agencies, North and South, to support a variety of cross-border and cross-community projects.         

The Government is firmly committed to the successful implementation of the programmes and to successor programmes post-2020.  Last October I was able to announce that agreement had been reached with the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland on a safeguard clause to Brexit proof funding agreements with programme beneficiaries. 

Now that this short term objective has been achieved, the medium term objective is to ensure successful implementation of the programmes out to 2020, through a period during which the UK is expected to leave the EU.  My longer term objective is secure agreement for successor programmes post-2020.  Work is underway in my Department to address these medium and long term objectives.