Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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71. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of her Department; and if the details of same will be provided. [37187/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Ireland regrets the UK’s decision to leave the EU, although we respect it.

From 1 January 2021, many aspects of our relationship with our nearest neighbour will change fundamentally as we will no longer share EU membership.  However, the Government remains committed to protecting and strengthening the Ireland-UK relationship following the end of the transition period.  Strong and vibrant connections are vital with our closest neighbour and trading partner.  Both Ireland and the UK remain co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and are committed to the ongoing maintenance of the Common Travel Area and its associated rights and privileges. 

It is clear that Brexit, in any form, will have significant impacts in Ireland including those sectors of the economy that come under the remit of my Department such as Tourism and Údarás na Gaeltachta supported companies.  The Department of Finance has projected over the medium-term the level of GDP would be around 2% – 3.25 % lower relative to a hypothetical status quo scenario, with most of the impact in the first year or so. 

As the Deputy will be aware the Minister for Foreign Affairs has responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government response to Brexit. In this capacity, that Department continues to working closely with colleagues across Government to address the many challenges resulting. This cooperation also involves the relevant State Agencies.  The Government has been planning for Brexit since before the UK referendum to ensure that Irish citizens and businesses are as ready as possible for all possible scenarios.  On 9 September, the Government published its Brexit Readiness Action Plan, which details the actions Government will take and the actions citizens and businesses should take to prepare for the end of the transition period.  Citizens and businesses should now finalise their readiness work for the end of the transition period. This work will continue in the weeks ahead.