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Cabinet Agrees Brexit Preparedness Measures

Building on the extensive work already underway since the UK’s decision to leave the EU, the Government today signed off on a number of key Brexit preparedness measures focused on East-West trade, moving this work from the planning to implementation stage.

The intensification of Brexit preparedness work across Government was approved, including the tasking of relevant Departments to prepare detailed Action Plans building on their extensive contingency planning. Regular updates will now be submitted to Government.
The Government also agreed additional measures to be taken at our ports and airports to prepare for a changed trading relationship with Britain post-Brexit. This includes significant extra staffing.

At the same time, the Government also agreed to continue contingency planning for the unlikely case of a ‘no deal’ Brexit. This planning is at an advanced stage, some elements will not be published as negotiations between the EU and the UK for an agreed Brexit are ongoing.

Speaking after today’s Cabinet meeting in Derrynane, the Taoiseach said:

The UK is leaving the EU and some things are going to change. Today the Government agreed a series of measures to be ready for that change. The key decisions are particularly focused on areas where the Government has direct responsibility and on measures that need to be taken on an East-West basis, such as customs and veterinary controls at ports and airports.The Government also reiterated its position today that it would not countenance a return of a border on the island under any circumstances, including in the event of a hard Brexit.

In addition to the work at home, the Cabinet agreed on the need to continue to engage actively with the European Commission Taskforce and EU Brexit Preparedness Unit on areas where the lead policy role lies with the EU.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Simon Coveney, said:

It is important to be clear that the decisions taken by Government today do not represent the beginning of our preparations. A huge amount of work has been underway across Government and its agencies for many months. We will also be carrying out some of our preparations on an EU-wide basis, in cooperation with our EU partners. The UK has chosen to walk away from the EU’s comprehensive regulatory framework but we will continue to benefit from the stability of our EU membership. 

The Cabinet agreed that Ireland should continue to focus on the formal EU-UK negotiations aimed at securing the best possible negotiated outcome, including the translation of UK commitments to avoid a hard border into the legal text of the Withdrawal Agreement and a framework for a future EU-UK relationship that is as close as possible.


Factsheet

Brexit Preparedness:
The Cabinet approved the intensification of Brexit preparedness work across Government, including through the preparation of detailed Action Plans, with regular updates to be submitted to Government from now on.
The Cabinet agreed the need to continue to engage actively with the European Commission Taskforce and Brexit Preparedness Unit on areas where the lead policy role lies with the EU, including the facilitation of Ireland’s continued use of the UK Landbridge.
To date more than €450 million has been allocated in business supports for Brexit. The Cabinet agreed today that additional significant supports for business and agribusiness would be considered as part of the budgetary process.
A number of announcements on an East/West basis are detailed below.

Implementation Stage
The UK will leave the EU and this could require additional checks and controls on an East/West basis at points of entry and exit (ports and airports).
The Cabinet has mandated the presentation to Government, by September, of detailed and costed plans on the following:

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Controls (SPS)
- In the region of 200 extra full time staff to carry out SPS checks and controls at ports and airports
- In the region of 120 extra full time staff to prepare export certificates at ports and airports

Customs Controls
- In the region of 600-700 full time staff to carry out relevant controls at ports and airports

IT & Physical Infrastructure
- Increased customs and SPS controls will require upgraded infrastructure at ports and airports, in particular at Dublin and Rosslare Ports. This will need a significant investment.