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

224. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of vacancies in his Department for Brexit related roles; the expected date for these roles to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38822/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Finance has been assessing and preparing for the impact of Brexit since well before the referendum on 23 June 2016. Following the result of the UK referendum, work has been intensified across the whole of Government level, including in my own Department, to ensure that Ireland’s interests are protected in the negotiations at EU level and to ensure that Ireland will be in position to mitigate the negative economic impacts arising from Brexit. 

In my own Department, a Brexit Unit was established in July 2016, within the EU and International Division, to oversee and coordinate this work and to act as a key liaison point with the Department of the Taoiseach, in particular. This Unit is currently at full operational capacity.

In addition, the Department of Finance staff complement in the Irish Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels has been strengthened.  The challenge which we face as a result of Brexit is mainstreamed across all divisions of my Department and this is reflected in business planning.

Brexit issues are mainstreamed into the Department’s work in all areas including economic analysis, financial services and taxation.  Brexit issues are being dealt with on a cross department basis and managed through the EU Strategy Committee (at Assistant Secretary level) and a cross-divisional Working Group at Principal level.  Brexit is a standing item on the Department’s weekly Executive Board agenda and is mainstreamed across all divisions, something that is reflected in business planning.

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

226. To ask the Minister for Finance 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. [38854/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government has been preparing for the impact of Brexit since well before the referendum on 23 June 2016, with this work now intensified. The Government is clear and determined that all possible preparations will be made ahead of the UK leaving the EU.  A critical aspect of the Government’s contingency planning and preparations is extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.

The Department of Finance has responsibility for leading on stakeholder engagement in the area of financial services. Minister of State for Financial Services Michael D’Arcy T.D. has responsibility for financial services, including the IFS2020 Strategy, which has a strong Brexit focus, and has been drafted in close consultation with key public sector and industry stakeholders. Minister of State D’Arcy chairs quarterly joint meetings with an Industry Advisory Committee, which represents the financial services industry, and the IFS2020 public sector High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC), which is a senior group of civil and public servants representing the public sector.  Additionally, the Department of Finance chairs The IFS2020 Public Sector Coordination Group which is an interdepartmental group, which includes representatives from IDA and Enterprise Ireland. This group has met 20 times since June 2016, most recently on 6 September 2017.

The Department hosted a Financial Services Sectoral Dialogue on Brexit in Dublin Castle on 12 April 2017.