Bank closure and Brexit response
After a brief interjection on the Bank of Ireland issue, the Leader said the bank should explain its decision, then moved to Brexit, stressing government planning and new structures to manage its effects.
The bank has its own decision-making process. I do not know who has made the decision, but he or she needs to communicate the reasoning behind it rather than leaving a vacuum.
Senator Terry Leyden raised the very important issue of Brexit. As he is aware, the Government has discussed the issue and planned for the eventuality which, unfortunately, has happened. During the weekend and in the Dáil today the Taoiseach outlined that it was a priority for the Government and every Department. The Government has developed specific structures to deal with the implications of Brexit. For the information of the House, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Bord Bia are working closely with small Irish businesses to help them to manage the many practical implications. A new Cabinet committee chaired by the Taoiseach has been established. It will oversee the overarching Government response to Brexit. The Department of the Taoiseach will co-ordinate the cross-government sectoral approach, with a new division led by a second Secretary General. There will be an enhanced role for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in dealing with EU matters which will involve a transfer of staff from the Department of the Taoiseach to that Department. More strength will be given to relevant Departments, agencies and overseas missions to ensure they will be on top of the issue. The North-South axis will also not be forgotten.
Senator Gerard P. Craughwell made a very important point about a hard versus a soft border. There is a very interesting article today in the Irish Examiner which I am not sure if the Senator has read, but it is a matter on which we need to be very clear. We cannot allow the return of a hard border.