Written answers

Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Brexit Issues

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the changes required at ports and airports as a consequence of Brexit require planning permission or legislative changes; if so, if planning permission in circumstances in which it is necessary is being sought; the status of same; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1127/19]

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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258. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date he expects the 33 inspection bays for trucks arriving at Dublin Port will be completed and ready for operation as set out in the Brexit contingency action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1128/19]

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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259. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date he expects the 270 parking spaces for trucks awaiting inspection at Dublin Port to be completed and ready for operation as set out in the Brexit contingency action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1129/19]

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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260. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date the new traffic management system is expected to be ready for operation at Dublin Port to manage traffic to and from ferries as set out in the Brexit contingency action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1130/19]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 to 260, inclusive, together.

The Office of Public Works, on behalf of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department Agriculture, Food & the Marine, the Department of Health and the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, is working to put in place the infrastructure required for customs, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and health checks and controls at Dublin Port, Rosslare Europort and Dublin Airport when the transition period provided for under the draft Withdrawal Agreement expires at the end of 2020. In parallel with this, work is also underway to put in place temporary arrangements in the event that the UK leaves the EU at the end of March without an agreement. This includes the acquisition of sites and the installation of infrastructure at all three locations to cater for both scenarios. This work is ongoing.

An existing facility in Dublin Port is being refurbished in order to provide the necessary inspection facilities for the State agencies to carry out their statutory functions. An additional area has been identified for overflow parking and both facilities will be in place on or before the 30thMarch 2019. Planning requirements will be adhered to.

The Office of Public Works has also been engaged with the Dublin Port Company to ensure that the new traffic management system will be operational on the required date.

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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261. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to make additional funding available in the event of a no-deal Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1134/19]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Budget 2019 contains specific measures to ensure that Ireland is in the best possible position to respond to the challenges - and indeed the opportunities - that Brexit will bring.

Increased resources of €25 million has been provided across a range of Departments and Offices. This will enable the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, the Department of Health and the HSE implement necessary measures including in the areas of customs, SPS and food safety controls.

The €300 million Future Growth Loan Scheme, jointly funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation and the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, provides a longer-term facility to support strategic capital investment by business at competitive rates in a post-Brexit environment.

A €71 million package has been provided for the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine and its agencies, Teagasc and Bord Bia, to further strengthen the agriculture sector’s ability to become more resilient in addressing the challenges of Brexit.

An increase of €14 million in the allocation for the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation will enable it to continue to plan for the impact of Brexit on the business sector, including the expansion of Departmental and regulatory agency capacity, the expansion of its agencies' global footprint and additional Brexit information campaigns and supports.

€5 million has been allocated to the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade to enable it to continue to address the challenges posed by Brexit across a range of headings, including building capacity across strategic European locations and developing outreach responsibilities through public and stakeholder engagement and EU alliance enhancement. In addition, additional funding of €13 million will support the opening of new markets for our businesses and a higher international profile though our Global Ireland 2025 strategy, which aims to strengthen Ireland’s global footprint.

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