Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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646. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to commission research on the impact of Brexit on rural communities as committed to in the Action Plan for Rural Development; when this research will be commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42349/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Action Plan for Rural Development, which was published in January of this year, envisaged that a piece of research would be commissioned on the impact of Brexit on rural areas.

Since the publication of the Action Plan, a number of papers and commentaries have been published on the potential impact of Brexit on Ireland, including rural Ireland.  In addition, a number of sectorial workshops on the issue have been held with local communities and other stakeholders by several Government Departments, including the former Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. 

In light of these developments, I do not propose to commission the carrying out of further research on the impact of Brexit at this time.  However, the Government is continuing to work, through various State agencies, to provide support and advice to businesses on how to prepare for and address the possible impacts of Brexit.