Written answers

Tuesday, 26 February 2019

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Brexit Preparations

Photo of Imelda MunsterImelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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545. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures that will be put in place to mitigate, even temporarily, the effects of a no-deal Brexit on regional airports such as Ireland West Airport. [9315/19]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Brexit and its potential implications for Ireland are being managed on a whole-of-government basis. My Department is represented on all relevant cross-Departmental coordination structures, and an internal Departmental Committee on Brexit meets regularly to oversee the Department's analyses and planning in the areas of aviation, land transport, maritime transport and tourism.

My Department is engaged in extensive contingency planning in relation to Brexit, including for a possible no-deal scenario. I, and officials from my Department, have continually stressed the importance that all stakeholders, including the regional airports, take all necessary steps within their control to prepare for Brexit, including the importance of undertaking contingency planning to minimise the impact of Brexit on their operations. Ongoing engagement with stakeholders, including with regional airports, on Brexit continues to be a central part of Government's preparations for Brexit.

In terms of connectivity, the European Commission published a draft proposal last December for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules ensuring basic connectivity with regard to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the Union. Subject to reciprocity from the UK, it is anticipated that the vast majority of flights to/from Ireland to the UK, including from the regional airports, would still be able to operate post-Brexit.

However, under all possible scenarios, the UK's withdrawal from the EU will bring change to the Aviation sector and while much is being done by Government, it is also very much up to the all those doing business in Ireland, including the regional airports themselves to prepare for a 'no-deal' scenario, and to engage in their own specific contingency planning.

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