Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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1381. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of all planning and research work underway for the impact of the result of Brexit negotiations in his department or related State agencies; if this analysis is intended for publication; the expected completion and publication date respectively of this research, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46117/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, Deputy Simon Coveney, has responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government response to Brexit. In this capacity, he is working closely with his colleagues across Government to address the many challenges resulting from Brexit. This co-operation also involves the relevant State Agencies. Work at Cabinet level is being prepared through cross-Departmental co-ordination structures. These represent a frequent and active channel through which all relevant Departments are providing their research, analysis and overall policy input to the Government’s wider response to Brexit, including its priorities for the ongoing Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK.

As the outcome of the negotiations is not yet known, an important focus of the planning and preparation being undertaken through these structures is on deepening the Government’s analysis and understanding of the exact consequences of a range of different possible scenarios. This represents an intensification of efforts to build on the Government‘s contingency planning.

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.

As the Deputy has previously been advised, on 19 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. Given 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 the case, given the unique nature of Defence that other than normal internal policy considerations, there is no specific Brexit related research currently being undertaken by, or on behalf of, my department. Any potential future such requirement will be kept under constant review as the negotiation process unfolds.

The Government remains under no illusions about the complexity of these negotiations or the potential impacts that may arise on their conclusion. In that regard, I wish to reassure the Deputy that my Department is monitoring the ongoing situation and is engaged along with the Defence Forces in prudent planningto 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.