Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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211. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions taken to ensure the viability and freedom to operate for the air transport sector in the aftermath of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49620/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Brexit and its potential implications for Ireland are being managed on a whole-of-government basis. My Department is represented on the Economy and Trade Group and also on the Aviation and related Tourism sub-groups under these structures.

I and my officials are engaged in regular consultations with our EU counterparts and industry stakeholders in order to plan for and mitigate the risks associated with Brexit and to identify opportunities arising.

Most recently, in October, I welcomed the European Commissioner for Transport, Ms Violeta Bulc, on her visit to Dublin to undertake a range of meetings on transport and Brexit-related matters. I am currently planning on attending the Transport Council in Brussels in December. This will provide me with further opportunities to meet with my European counterparts.

The Government has been clear that its approach is aimed at minimising the impact of Brexit on our trade and economy and an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Aviation is vital for our social and economic relations with the outside world and will be one of the priorities areas for Ireland in the phase 2 negotiations. Ireland will be ready for those negotiations when they begin and the necessary preparations and consultations are underway.