Brexit sectoral plans
Deputy Dooley asked when Ireland’s sectoral Brexit plans would be published. The Tánaiste said several reports have already been published, more are coming, and consultation with stakeholders is extensive.
In light of the leaks from the UK in recent weeks on the sectoral plans for Brexit, is there any sign of our sectoral plans given that the Government gave commitments, as did the former Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, about preparing sectoral plans? Is there a date for their publication? Farmers, fishermen and small business people want to see these plans for phase 2 of the Brexit negotiations. I ask the Tánaiste to give some insight on the status of that.
Comment on this
Farmers, fishermen, business people and so on want to see us negotiating solutions to the concerns they may have on Brexit. We have actually published a series of reports on Brexit. Some of them are linked to specific areas and others are more general. More reports will be published. I think one will come out towards the end of next month. It will be an independent report.
The level of consultation on Brexit we have with stakeholders who are interested in this area and representative bodies is very extensive. I chair a stakeholders' group that meets regularly and all the key sectors the Deputy mentioned are represented there. This is an ongoing conversation. It is not a case of us publishing a paper and that is it for that sector. It is an ongoing consultation that adapts and changes as these negotiations develop. That is how we should continue.