Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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215. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality 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. [33343/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, on 2 May 2017, the Government published a comprehensive document which sets out the approach of the Government to the Brexit negotiations, following the successful campaign to have key Irish issues recognised in the EU negotiation position.

Following on from the publication of this document, work is underway across Departments to prepare adaptive Sectoral Brexit Response Plans to mitigate emerging sectoral challenges. These plans will build on ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders, and will encompass the following themes:

- 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 helping businesses adjust to any new logistical or trade barriers arising; and

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

All of this work is ongoing and must also respond to the emerging developments in the Brexit negotiations. There is no decision as yet on publication dates.

Work is continuing in my Department on the analysis of the justice specific issues arising in response to the UK withdrawal from the EU. Weekly progress reports are provided to the Department's Management Board on the analysis and preparations underway and there is ongoing engagement with other relevant Departments concerning the cross Government aspects of these issues.