Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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388. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement held with the European Commission and other EU agencies to prepare for Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26727/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Throughout the Brexit process, the Government has worked with our EU partners and the Commission to ensure that EU-level readiness and contingency planning addresses the needs of our businesses and citizens.

The European Commission has published seven Communications on Brexit readiness and contingency planning. The most recent such Communication was published on 9 July and complements the Government’s Brexit Readiness Action Plan, published on 9 September. In addition, the Commission has updated more than 80 of the 102 Brexit readiness notices it has issued to stakeholders to assist them in preparing for the end of the transition period.

Government Ministers are in regular contact with our counterparts in the European Commission and the EU agencies. I attended the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 22 September where I also had a range of meetings on Brexit-related issues. I met with Commission Vice President Šefcovic, the co-chair of the EU-UK joint committee, and with the EU Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier.

Officials from my Department and other Departments continue to regularly meet with their counterparts in Brussels and across the EU. On 11 September, senior Irish officials met virtually with their UK Task Force and Commission counterparts to discuss a range of readiness planning. We remain in contact with the Task Force in relation to EU level contingency measures which will reinforce the Government's domestic preparations.

The Government is also working closely with the European Commission in relation to the Brexit Adjustment Reserve agreed by EU leaders in July. Leaders agreed to make a fund of up to €5 billion available to counter the adverse consequences of Brexit in the worst affected Member States and sectors. On 21 September, I met Commissioner Hahn in Brussels on the Reserve. I highlighted to the Commissioner Ireland’s unique vulnerability to Brexit and the exposure of key sectors of Ireland’s economy to trade with the UK. We will continue to engage with the Commission on the Brexit Adjustment Reserve in the weeks ahead.