Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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219. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development 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. [37184/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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On 1 January 2021, the transition period following the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union will have ended and many aspects of our relationship with our nearest neighbour will change fundamentally. 

However, the Government remains committed to protecting and strengthening the Ireland-UK relationship. 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 which is of particular importance to those living and working in border communities.

While we will work with our UK colleagues on strengthening this relationship, it is also clear that Brexit, in any form, will have significant impacts on economic sectors and communities in rural Ireland.

The supports and funding provided by my Department to build up resilience in communities to withstand negative Brexit impacts is more important than ever and we will continue to retain flexibility within our programmes to ensure we can respond to emerging needs in communities in all parts of the country as they arise.