We all agree Brexit poses a very serious risk to jobs in Ireland. The British Irish Chamber of Commerce estimates there is some €1.3 billion in weekly trade between the two countries, which supports approximately 400,000 jobs across the two islands. The fall in sterling is already putting agrifood companies out of business. If the United Kingdom defaults to World Trade Organization tariffs, particularly on food, that will put many more Irish companies out of business. As well as these serious risks, however, there are also significant opportunities. One estimate from the City of London is that some 35,000 jobs could be relocated in financial services alone. The chief executive of Lloyds Banks has said he has shelved plans for new job creation in financial services in the UK. The chief executive of JP Morgan said, before the referendum, that some 4,000 of its jobs might have to be relocated to elsewhere in the EU. Last week, in Davos, he said it was likely there would be more job movement at JP Morgan than was hoped would be the case. The chief executive of UBS has indicated the company is looking at moving some 1,500 jobs. The chief executive of HSBC has said Brexit is likely to see that company moving more than 1,000 jobs. The list goes on. Despite these opportunities, the word I am getting from senior executives working in financial services in London and elsewhere in the UK is that they have had neither sight nor sound of Irish politicians or officials. On the other hand, they tell me, they are being actively courted by the French, Germans, Belgians and many other EU nations. The Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly have contacted them to discuss moves within Britain. These companies are looking at their options for moving jobs because of the need to have a presence within the EU. They cannot understand why the Irish authorities have not been in contact with them.

Yesterday's meeting between the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Ms Theresa May, is clearly to be welcomed, as is the fact the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy, is in London this week to engage with financial services. Welcome, too, is the launch today of a new Action Plan for Jobs which specifically highlights Brexit. However, what matters is what is happening on the ground. The business leaders I am hearing from both in the UK, particularly in London, and in this country are saying that when it comes to action on the part of the Irish authorities, not much is happening. There are plenty of words and good sentiments but not much is actually being done. Why is Ireland not actively reaching out to our expatriate community in areas like financial services in London, as IDA Ireland has done successfully in the United States for decades? Why are business leaders in London saying they are yet to hear from Ireland when it comes to Brexit?

The Deputy needs to go back to the people to whom he has spoken. He referred to what he has been hearing. I assure him that Ireland is very active in this field, and not just by way of the Minister of State, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, who is dealing with financial services. The Minister for Finance, many other senior Ministers and I, together with IDA Ireland and everybody else, are quite active in talking to interests in London who may wish to change location. We have a unique opportunity arising out of the many difficulties and challenges Brexit is presenting and will present. Our position is good on account of being in the eurozone, being so close to London, having an English-speaking population, and having at our disposal a proven track record and competence developed over the years in the area of financial services.

The Deputy will be aware that many queries have come into the Central Bank as financial houses or elements of financial houses decide where they will move to, and it might be to Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin or New York. However, I assure Deputy Donnelly that we are not behind the scenes in talking to anybody who is interested in coming here or in presenting our case as an attractive location with a vibrant, energetic workforce, and with the capacity to continue to attract the "churn" of talent needed here and access to the Single Market and the European system, which is so important for financial services.

People I have met have very varied views about Brexit as far as London is concerned, but we will fight our corner hard and fairly. I can confirm to the Deputy that it has been confirmed to me that particular companies wish to move to this country, and in due course they will make their decisions formally, but we are right in there; we are not behind the scenes. With respect to the people who are giving the Deputy that information, it is not true to say that Ireland is not taking action and involving itself in serious conversations with people in London and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. With regard to what Deputy Donnelly pointed out, it is true to say from Bord Bia's assessment that in terms of value, the reduction due to currency fluctuations in the agrifood sector has been €500 million. That is why the Minister has brought in low interest, long-term credit for small firms. I notice some Irish agri-firms are acquiring others to be available and ready to rebound when the currency situation levels itself out. I spoke to Prime Minister May about a number of elements last night. In conclusion, we are very active in this field and we will fight our corner hard and fairly.

In terms of Brexit, a new increasingly protectionist United States and the European Commission now retargeting our corporation tax regime, I believe jobs in Ireland are more at risk now than they were due to the banking collapse. That is why the Taoiseach's answer is so concerning. I accept that actions are being taken. I take the Taoiseach at his word when he says Ireland is doing things but the sense from business leaders and from the public is that while actions are being taken, too few actions are being taken. They are being taken too slowly and with too much deference to the European Union.

As an example, we keep hearing from Ministers that Brexit has not happened yet. I heard it said on a radio programme about two nights ago, but Brexit has happened. For the small and medium enterprises, SMEs, that are struggling, and the ones that have been put out of business, it is happening. For the people who are living and working around the Border regions, it is happening. For the Irish ex-pats who are looking at moving jobs back into the EU post-Brexit, it is happening. While I accept absolutely that there are conversations going on, senior Irish executives are saying that while they are being courted by numerous EU nations, they are not hearing anything from Ireland. My sense is that while actions are being taken, they are being taken too slowly and without a clear vision for success. Does the Taoiseach accept that there is an ex-pat community in London that we should be targeting and are not and that more needs to happen very quickly?

The Government deliberately beefed up Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, which are very active in this field. We have 1,500 companies in the country exporting to the United Kingdom, and we are very conscious of that fact.

I take Deputy Donnelly at his word. He is telling me that business leaders in London are telling him that there is nothing happening on the ground. Let us do a deal here. If he gives me the names of the business leaders I will see that they are called together and given the full regime in terms of what is happening so that they will hear about the work that we are at and the extent of the connections. They will then know that what they are saying to the Deputy is inadequate in terms of its veracity and extent.