Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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1254. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the development of sectorial response plans to Brexit, the publication date of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38696/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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1255. To ask the Minister for Health the issues identified for consideration in the context of Brexit, including opportunities and their prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38712/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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1256. To ask the Minister for Health the details of issues identified for consideration in the context of Brexit, including threats and their prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38728/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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1257. To ask the Minister for Health the scenario planning that has been conducted by his Department for Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38744/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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1258. To ask the Minister for Health the methodology employed in the prioritisation of responses to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38760/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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1259. To ask the Minister for Health the funds that have been requested in response to threats resulting from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38776/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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1260. To ask the Minister for Health the funds have been allocated in response to threats resulting from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38808/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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1262. To ask the Minister for Health his Department’s priorities for risk mitigation in response to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38840/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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1263. To ask the Minister for Health the membership and role of all Brexit-related stakeholder engagement groups working with his Department on Brexit issues; the number of times each stakeholder group has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38856/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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1264. To ask the Minister for Health the Brexit-related research currently being undertaken by his Department; the topics under consideration; the date this research commenced; the expected date for completion and publication in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38888/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1254 to 1260, inclusive, and 1262 to 1264, inclusive, together.

The comprehensive document “Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union: The Government’s Approach” published on 2 May outlined in detail the structures put in place by the Government to ensure a strategic and whole-of Government response to Brexit that ensures a coordinated approach to the identification of key priority issues for the EU-UK negotiations and the wider domestic response. Since the publication of the comprehensive document, the Government has sought to further increase its strategic oversight of Brexit through the addition of a dedicated responsibility for Brexit matters to the role of the Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade. The Cabinet Committee structures have also been reformed and a new Cabinet Committee has been established to deal with EU Affairs including Brexit.

The Government’s National Risk Assessment 2017, which provides a systematic overview of strategic risks facing the country, was published on 29 August following a public consultation process. The National Risk Assessment acknowledges the significance of risk arising from Brexit, and that Brexit represents an overarching theme that could have far-reaching impacts on nearly all aspects of national life. It identifies areas where Brexit poses a specific risk, particularly in relation to the economy. As set out in the document of 2 May, the Government’s continuing work to ensure that Ireland’s interests are reflected in the EU’s approach to the ongoing EU-UK negotiations is a central dimension of Ireland’s strategic response to Brexit.

The Department of Health and its agencies have been conducting detailed analysis on the impacts of Brexit in the area of health. A number of issues are being examined and contingency planning for a range of eventualities is underway. A key issue will be to ensure that there is minimum disruption to health services and that essential services are maintained on a cross-border, all-island and Ireland-UK basis. The health sector has a highly mobile workforce and free movement issues and the mutual recognition and assurance of professional qualifications are being considered. On regulatory issues, it is clear that having a single set of rules across the European Union is enormously helpful – to protect human health, to ensure consumer protection and to provide a level playing field for industry. The UK no longer being part of a harmonised regulatory system in relation to food safety standards, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and cosmetics could necessitate increased certification requirements or disrupt trade between Ireland and the UK. Ensuring continuity in the supply of medicines and medical devices following the UK’s departure from the EU is a priority. The issue of customs is of relevance as it relates to additional food safety controls and medicines. The implications of Brexit for networks and organisations such as the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, European Reference Networks on rare diseases, or the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control are also under consideration.

These issues are currently being examined by my Department and its agencies and this work will continue over the period ahead. The key priorities for my Department are to ensure continuity in the provision of health services and provision of health services and to avoid, or mitigate against, changes to the current situation that would have a negative impact on human health. These are also key factors in considering the prioritisation of risks.

The Department of Health will continue to work closely with the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other departments on Brexit, and to work and contribute as required to the cross Governmental response, including on the themes identified, in light of the ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders.

Stakeholder engagement on Brexit is very important. I hosted an All-Island Civic Dialogue on the implications of Brexit for cross-border health co-operation on 8 September. Stakeholders concerned with all-island health matters gathered to discuss the potential impact of Brexit on the health sector, particularly cross-border health co-operation. Contributions made at the event will help to inform and deepen the understanding of the implications of Brexit in respect of health across the island of Ireland.

An extensive programme of engagement with all other EU Governments and the EU institutions is under way. I am continuing to engage with my EU counterparts on an ongoing basis.