Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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38. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of contingency planning for all Brexit scenarios, including the possibility of a no-deal Brexit if the transition period is not extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5507/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Planning for the impacts of Brexit has been underway for some time now. The vast majority of preparedness work undertaken in 2018 and 2019 remains relevant. The additional time afforded by the Transition Period (to 31 December 2020) enables Departments and Agencies to refine and update this work.

The ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement in January 2020 ensures that Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, will apply at the end of the transition period regardless of the outcome of the EU-UK future relationship negotiations.

Brexit comes at a time when businesses and the economy are already heavily impacted by the COVID19 crisis. With less than 7 months to the end of transition, we remain committed to doing everything in our power to ensure that citizens and businesses are as ready as they can be for the end of transition. The Government acted swiftly and decisively in terms of COVID-related supports to businesses. Brexit preparation will necessarily be part of a wider business recovery agenda and we will look at how best business supports can be deployed in support of Brexit readiness.

Significant challenges arise given the UK will leave the Customs Union and Single Market at the end of the transition period. Even the best possible FTA between the EU and UK will impact supply chains and trade flows and result in checks and controls in both directions on EU-UK trade.

Supporting these supply chains and trade flows remains a priority. Significant investment in infrastructure and systems in our ports and airports continues. The UK landbridge will continue to be of paramount strategic importance to EU operators, especially Irish operators, as a means of accessing the EU Single Market. We are engaging with our partners in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the Commission to provide a pathway for ensuring the Landbridge remains a viable and efficient option for EU traders. I have discussed this with Michel Barnier and he understands the importance of safeguarding this important route to market.

The Government’s preparedness work will be closely aligned with progress on the negotiations and will evolve as elements of a deal become clearer. As the talks progress, we will roll out communications programmes covering specific areas. As before, departments and agencies will continue to meet with key stakeholders.

Last week, I hosted a meeting of the Brexit Stakeholders Forum. As the Deputy is aware, this forum provides a useful opportunity to hear and exchange views with a range of business and civil society representative groups on how we can collectively ensure that we are well prepared for the range of Brexit scenarios.

The European Commission is currently updating its 102 readiness notices to provide useful advice to businesses and citizens on how to prepare for Brexit.

Brexit will mean significant change for our citizens and businesses whatever the outcome of the ongoing EU-UK Future Partnership negotiations, and preparing for this change continues to remain a key area of work across Government. This work will intensify in the period ahead. We remain committed to doing everything we can to ensure that citizens and businesses are as ready as they can be for the end of transition.

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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39. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the meeting of the specialised committee on the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland; the work outstanding to be done to ensure the effective operation of the protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5508/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland ensures that the Good Friday Agreement and the gains of the Peace Process are protected, including by avoiding a hard border on this island, and safeguarding the integrity of the Single Market and Ireland’s place in it. The Protocol will apply from the end of the transition period, whatever the outcome of the negotiations on the future EU-UK relationship.

The Protocol also contains provisions on a number of important areas for Ireland, including on the rights of individuals, the maintenance of the Common Travel Area, facilitating North South cooperation, and maintaining the Single Electricity Market on the island.

The Protocol must be operational at the end of the transition period. It is critical, therefore, that the UK Government give a clear roadmap and begin to put practical operational arrangements in place for its implementation. These must be communicated to economic operators in good time. The European Commission on 30 April published a technical note on some of the practical steps needed to implement the Protocol. Ireland has advocated early movement on implementation both in bilateral contacts with the UK and in meetings of the EU-UK Joint Committee and in the Specialised Committee on the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The implementation of the Protocol will mean some changes. Northern Ireland will remain in the UK customs territory but will continue to apply the rules of the Union Customs Code and relevant EU legislation. The Commission has been clear that there will be a need for checks, some of which already exist, on goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain. It is important that the implementation of the Protocol works for Northern Ireland, and for the all-island economy, in as smooth a manner as possible.

At the EU-UK Joint Committee, which held its first meeting on 30 March, and the Specialised Committee, which met on 30 April, Ireland participated as part of the EU delegation, while representatives of the Northern Ireland Executive formed part of the UK delegation. Discussions took place in a constructive atmosphere. The UK stated at the Joint and Specialised Committees that it will respect all its legal undertakings under the Withdrawal Agreement. The Specialised Committee took stock of work needed regarding implementation and had an initial discussion on decisions required under the Protocol before the end of transition. Ireland welcomes these important steps.

Clarity on implementation is particularly important to give reassurance and certainty, and the EU will continue to press for this ahead of the next meetings of the Joint and Specialised Committees.

Full implementation of what was agreed in the Withdrawal Agreement is fundamental for all EU Member States. A new EU-UK partnership can only be built on the full and effective implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and Protocol.