Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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199. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the recognition of professional qualifications will continue between Ireland and the United Kingdom in all Brexit scenarios, even in a no-deal scenario; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2916/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Both Ireland and the UK regulate access to a substantial number of professions by requiring professionals to hold relevant qualifications.  Prior to joining the EU, there were formal, informal and administrative bilateral mechanisms between UK and Irish regulatory bodies to facilitate the recognition of professional qualifications, which facilitated the movement of persons between both jurisdictions. 

Since EU accession, these arrangements have come to be overlain or to some degree replaced by the requirements of EU law.  Ireland has approximately 190 such regulated professions, while the UK has approximately 216.  Ireland’s regulated professions are overseen by 44 Competent Authorities under the auspices of 9 Government Departments.  Should the UK leave the EU on the basis of a No Deal scenario, the EU Directive on Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (MRPQ) will no longer apply in the UK with effect from 29 March 2019. In the No Deal context, working with officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other Departments with responsibility for the regulation of professions, my Department is leading work to ensure, in as far as possible, the provision of arrangements with the UK to recognise professional qualifications.  As part of this process, my Department is encouraging contacts and dialogue between regulatory bodies in Ireland and the UK to facilitate the continued recognition of qualifications, including the development of protocols for transferring personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

Should the UK Leave on the basis of an agreed Withdrawal Agreement, including a transition period, the current EU Directives will continue to apply to the UK during that time.   The EU and the UK indicated in the Political Declaration setting out the framework of the Future Relationship between the EU and the UK that during negotiations on the Future Relations they should develop appropriate arrangements on those professional qualifications which are necessary to the pursuit of regulated professions and in the Parties' mutual interest. 

Finally, it is important to note that persons who have had their professional qualifications recognised under the current EU Directives can continue to practice in either jurisdiction subject, of course, to compliance with all regulations within that profession.