Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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2119. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence 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. [38691/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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2120. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence 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. [38707/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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2121. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence 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. [38723/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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2122. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the scenario planning that has been conducted by his Department for Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38739/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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2123. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the methodology employed in the prioritisation of responses to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38755/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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2124. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the funds that have been requested in response to threats resulting from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38771/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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2125. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the funds have been allocated in response to threats resulting from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38803/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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2126. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of vacancies in his Department for Brexit related roles; the expected date for these rolls to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38819/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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2127. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his Department’s priorities for risk mitigation in response to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38835/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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2128. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence 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. [38851/17]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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2129. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence 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. [38883/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2119 to 2129, 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 comprehensive 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.

Work is also continuing across Government on Ireland’s wider response to the challenges and opportunities posed by Brexit, building on ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders and encompassing 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.

Policy decisions in support of these objectives also arise across a wide range of areas, including the annual budgetary process; the forthcoming National Planning Framework 2040; the new 10-year National Capital Plan; the Review of Enterprise 2025 Policy, and sectorial policies and investment decisions in areas such as agriculture, enterprise, transport, communications and energy.

The outcome of the vote of 23 June 2016 in the UK will have implications across all aspects of the business of the European Union. While the vote does not give rise to fundamental strategic issues for Defence Forces operations or for Ireland’s continuing engagement within the EU in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), it is expected that Brexit will have an impact on future developments in the Defence sphere. The structures put in place in the Department of Defence to address the potential challenges arising from Brexit include the assignment of responsibility to a senior official at Assistant Secretary General level in relation to Brexit related matters. The senior official is leading the Department’s input to deliberations within the framework established across Government and is supported in their role by a number of Branches in the Department. The senior official represents the Department on the InterDepartmental Group on EU-UK Affairs which is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and is engaged with the identification of key strategic, operational and policy issues arising from Brexit. In addition, the Management Board is acting as a clearing house for Brexit and maintains oversight on an ongoing basis.

As the Deputy will also be aware, the Government has adopted a contingency framework to deal with all issues arising in respect of the UK vote to leave the EU. Accordingly, any issues arising, including those within the Defence area, whether bilateral, or in respect of developments in CSDP, or regarding our wider international multilateral defence engagements, will be also addressed within that framework.

As the Deputy has previously been advised, on 19th January, 2015 Ireland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Defence, Ireland and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence on enhancement on certain aspects of Security and Defence Cooperation. This provides a framework for developing and furthering bilateral co-operation and relations between the Department of Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding placed already existing cooperation arrangements in the Defence area between Ireland and the UK on a more formal and transparent footing, while fully respecting the differing policy positions and security arrangements of both States.

The MoU takes into account matters such as military forces training; exercises and military education; exchange of views on EU Common Security and Defence Policy; potential for joint contributions to UN Crisis Management Operations; joint procurement initiatives; pooling and sharing resources; general sharing on reform in defence services; potential for staff exchanges; joint contribution to Security Sector Reform and capacity building in crisis locations and the sharing of information.

Having regard to the bi-lateral arrangements already in place, and the fact Brexit does not give rise to fundamental strategic issues for Defence Forces operations or for Ireland’s continuing engagement in the EUs Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), it is not considered that a specific sectorial response plan in the Defence sphere is necessary at this time. Such a requirement will be kept under constant review and all potential consequences in the defence sphere, arising during these negotiations which commenced in July, will remain the subject of ongoing consideration by my Department throughout this process.

Formal and informal meetings of Ministers at EU level provide a significant opportunity to engage bilaterally with Ministers from other member States on issues of concern to Ireland, both within the scope of the Ministerial but also more broadly. When attending Council meetings, most recently in Tallinn, Estonia, where last week I attended the Informal Defence Ministers meeting. I avail of the opportunity to engage in informal bilateral discussions with my EU counterparts en-marge of the meetings which is an important aspect of Ministerial attendance and have raised the issue of Brexit and Ireland’s key considerations as and when the opportunity arises.

In terms of formal bilateral meetings, I have also met with Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon, MP Secretary of State at the UK Ministry of Defence. Our discussion covered a wide range of topics mainly in the security and defence domain but also focussed on Brexit and the implications for Ireland and the EU. Formal talks with the UK between officials are scheduled to take place next Thursday, 14 September here in Dublin, in the context of regular ongoing engagement under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on enhancement on certain aspects of Security and Defence Cooperation.

It is the case, given the unique nature of Defence that no defence specific stakeholder group has been established, nor has there been any requirement at this juncture for me to meet with the Brexit negotiation task force. Other than normal internal policy considerations, there is no specific Brexit related research currently being undertaken. These issues and any potential future such requirements will be kept under constant review as the negotiation process unfolds.

Regarding resources, matters relating to Brexit are currently being absorbed and dealt with within existing Department structures and resources and accordingly there is currently no dedicated Brexit funding allocation in the Department of Defence, nor are there any additional Brexit related roles envisaged at this time.

The Government remains under no illusions about the complexity of these negotiations. In that regard, I wish to reassure the Deputy that my Department is monitoring the ongoing situation to ensure that the Department and the Defence Forces are well prepared to address any potential issues or potential future threats arising in the defence area on foot of Brexit.