Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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36. To ask the Taoiseach the role of his Department in Brexit preparedness. [47847/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, led by the Tánaiste, has overall responsibility for Brexit. That said, Brexit will have implications for each Government Department and Agency. Within my Department, staff across several divisions contribute to the work on Brexit.

The International, European Union and Northern Ireland division covers work on all international, EU and British-Irish and Northern Ireland affairs within the Department, including Brexit matters. The Economic Division advises me on economic policy aimed at sustainable economic growth, with a particular focus on jobs and competitiveness including the possible economic impacts of Brexit.

To augment this work, my Department recently established a unit to work on Brexit preparedness and contingency planning. The unit assists a Secretaries General group, which oversees ongoing work on national Brexit preparedness and contingency planning. It is focussed on cross-Government co-ordination, planning and programme management, and works closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Preparation and planning for a range of Brexit scenarios, including contingency planning, was initiated well in advance of the UK referendum. Over the last 16 months, the Tánaiste has led efforts to deepen and intensify this planning.

The whole-of-Government response to Brexit is underpinned by a comprehensive set of Government structures, which ensure that all Departments and their agencies are engaging in detailed preparedness and contingency planning, including through the development of sectoral action plans.