Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.

The Government-wide ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’ public information campaign was launched on 20 September 2018.

In the initial phase of this campaign, my Department organised “Getting Ireland Brexit Ready” public information events in Cork, Galway, Monaghan, Dublin, Limerick and Donegal throughout autumn 2018 to inform and advise citizens and businesses about Brexit preparedness and the range of support measures and resources that the Government has put in place. These events brought together over a dozen Agencies and their parent Departments – the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport - under one roof and were attended by approximately 2,500 people over the October-November period.

In the lead up to the March and April Brexit deadlines, my Department working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach and other Government Departments initiated a Brexit preparedness public information campaign, This campaign ran to ensure that key audiences are aware of the potential impact of a no deal Brexit and the mitigation measures that they can take, with the support of Government where appropriate and with particular reference to the gov.ie/Brexit website. This campaign activity was across TV, radio, print, internet and social media.

Building on the ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’ roadshows and the broad ranging information campaign in advance of the March and April Brexit deadlines, I along with Minister Heather Humphreys and Minister Helen McEntee launched ‘Getting Your Business Brexit Ready – Practical Steps’ campaign on 4 September. This campaign informs businesses and consumers on the practical steps that all businesses should take now to prepare for the UK’s departure from the EU. Central to this campaign is a user-friendly digital booklet, which provides a comprehensive overview for businesses on the core steps they should take and can be accessed at gov.ie/Brexit. The Practical Steps campaign will complement existing business focussed Government initiatives and events taking place in September and October.

In addition to this booklet, a two week national and local radio campaign is urging businesses to take action and review readiness under 9 key areas. This campaign targets businesses and other affected sectors and encourages them to take the necessary steps to help mitigate the risk of a no deal Brexit on 31 October 2019.

Under the auspices of the Department of the Taoiseach, through the Office of Government Procurement, a contract was awarded to TBWA for the provision of integrated creative and digital campaign services. This contract was procured in accordance with standard public procurement rules. As the campaign is currently on going, it is not possible to provide full costs at this time to the Deputy, but they will be available on its conclusion.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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50. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he remains satisfied that all possible actions have been taken by his Department in anticipation of a UK crash-out from the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36922/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Government remain firmly of the view that the best way to ensure an orderly UK withdrawal, in a way that addresses the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, is to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement. It still offers the best path to an orderly Brexit. 

It is the Government’s assessment that there is a significant risk of a no deal Brexit on 31 October. Work on no deal Brexit preparations therefore has the highest priority across Government. To be clear, a no deal Brexit will have profound implications for Ireland on all levels. These include macroeconomic, trade and sectoral challenges, both immediately and in the longer term. It will also pose particular risks for the Good Friday Agreement, for the all-island economy and for Northern Ireland’s economy, political stability and community relations.

In terms of Ireland's preparedness measures, the Brexit Contingency Action Plan Update, published on 9 July, reflects the extensive work which has taken place at EU level and on a whole-of-Government basis, including the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2019 (Brexit Omnibus Act), to prepare for a no deal Brexit.

The Action Plan sets out the next steps to be taken, by Government Departments and State Agencies, businesses and individuals, between now and 31 October. It puts particular emphasis on the need for increased preparedness measures, by exposed businesses in particular.

As part of Government's work to support businesses in preparing for Brexit, on 4 September I launched 'Getting Your Business Brexit Ready - Practical Steps', which highlights the nine key steps all businesses should take now to prepare for the UK's departure from the EU. 

In parallel with our preparedness work at national level, the Government is working closely with the European Commission on how, in the absence of the Withdrawal Agreement, to meet the shared twin objectives of protecting the integrity of the Single Market and Ireland’s place in it, and protecting the Good Friday Agreement.  

It is only by Government, business and citizens working together nationally and with our EU partners that we can aim to mitigate as far as possible the impacts of a no deal Brexit, and ensure that we are as prepared as we can be for the changes it will bring.