Written answers

Tuesday, 22 January 2019

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Brexit Issues

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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104. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has held discussions with the EU as to whether, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, there will be a transition period regarding implementation of the regulatory requirements in view of the administration requirement that this will entail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2773/19]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As part of prudent preparation for Brexit, steps need to be taken at national level, at EU level and by business and citizens who will be affected.

A no-deal Brexit would mean that on 29 March 2019 the UK's status under EU law would change from that of a Member State to that of a third country with no trade or co-operation agreements in place with the EU.  The transition period, as provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement, would not apply.

Ireland is in close bilateral contact with the European Commission. As part of these contacts, I met with Chief Negotiator Barnier yesterday while attending the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. Minister Humphreys will meet with Commissioner Vestager in Dublin on 24 January 2019 to discuss Brexit preparations. Other Ministers are in regular contact with Commissioners with responsibility for their sectoral areas.

In addition to close bilateral contact at Commissioner level, Ireland has engaged regularly at official level with the Commission on preparedness for Brexit. This included a meeting between senior officials from the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Commission Preparedness Group on 30 November 2018, to discuss issues of particular concern and impact for Ireland. Further engagement at a senior level will take place in the coming weeks.

As part of the planning and work at EU level a series of expert preparedness meetings involving officials from all Member States and the Commission have been underway since November and are currently ongoing. These seminars have covered a wide range of topics, including financial services, transport, data, fisheries, and citizen's rights. A full list of the topics covered in the expert seminars is included in the Government's Contingency Action Plan published on 19 December 2018.

Many of the actions aimed at mitigating the effects of a no deal outcome will be taken at the EU level as they involve areas of EU competence and sectors regulated by EU law. The EU has already published over 80 sectoral notices with detailed guidance across a range of sectors and are a source of advice for operators, businesses and regulators.

On 13 November 2018, the Commission published a Contingency Action Plan - Preparing for the UK withdrawal from the EU on 30 March 2019, which highlights key issues in the areas of citizens, financial services, air transport, road transport, customs, SPS requirements, personal data and EU climate policy. The Commission emphasises that it stands ready to engage with the Member States that will be most affected by a no deal withdrawal and expressly states that "the Commission will support Ireland in finding solutions addressing the specific challenges of Irish businesses."

In its communication on 19 December 2018, the Commission adopted a package of contingency measures preparing for a possible no deal Brexit. The package consists of a Communication "Implementing the Commission's Contingency Action Plan", five legislative proposals, four delegated acts, four implementing acts and one Commission Decision.

Much of the contingency work taking place at the EU level is in the context of efforts to make regulatory provision for the gaps that would inevitably result from a no deal Brexit and to ensure that there is minimal disruption for EU citizens and industry. In a no-deal scenario, the Commission envisages a limited number of time-limited contingency measures to mitigate significant disruptions in a number of defined areas.

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