Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

348. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [33332/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ever since the announcement by the UK of its decision to hold a referendum on its continued membership of the EU, my Department and its agencies have conducted extensive analysis to assess the likely impact that a UK withdrawal would have on the Irish agri food sector, including fisheries and forestry. This work has been complemented by extensive consultation with stakeholders through the Department's Stakeholder Consultative Committee and through the All-Island Civic Dialogue process, in respect of which I have already hosted five agri-food and fisheries sectoral dialogues.

While the main impact to date of the Brexit vote has come in the form of the fall in the value of sterling against the euro and its effect on those businesses that have a significant trading relationship with the UK, the medium- to long-term threats include the possible introduction of tariffs on trade between the EU and UK, potential divergences in regulations and standards between the EU and UK post-Brexit, and the implications of border controls and certification requirements. Difficult challenges also arise in relation to potentially restricted access to fishing grounds and resources.

My Department has been conducting this analysis and consultation within the whole-of-Government approach to the Brexit negotiations that is being coordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach. Following on from publication in early May of the Position Paper setting out the Government's approach to the Brexit negotiations, work is under way 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;

- 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.