Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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59. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she continues to engage with investment and job creation interests in Northern Ireland with a view to maintaining the best possible relationship of a mutually beneficial nature with Northern Ireland and the EU in the aftermath of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49788/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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60. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she continues to engage with investment and job creation interests in Northern Ireland with a view to maintaining the best possible relationship of a mutually beneficial nature with Northern Ireland and the EU in the aftermath of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49789/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 60 together.

My Department works closely with its counterpart in Northern Ireland - the Department for the Economy - in connection with the operation of InterTrade Ireland (ITI), the cross-border body that assists SMEs all across the island in growing North-South trade.  ITI also helps its client companies to become more competitive and investor ready by developing new products and services.

A key part of ITI's recent work has been assisting businesses, both North and South, prepare for the challenges that Brexit will present. This includes the provision of expert advice on technical issues associated with the UK's withdrawal from the European Union. The objective of this programme of work is ensuring that companies all over Ireland are as best equipped as possible to operate in the post-Brexit commercial environment.

In relation to maintaining mutually beneficial relationships on enterprise development and trade, the Government's position on preferred future arrangements following Brexit has been made very clear. We continue to work towards an outcome that will maintain the closest and most positive possible trading relationship between the UK and Ireland.