BREXIT : OUR RESPONSE INTRODUCTION: Brexit has the potential to impact
everybody on this Island - North and South. It has implications for numerous aspects of our relationship with our closest neighbours. Indeed, it presents one of the greatest economic challenges that Ireland has faced in the last 50 years. That is why it is so important for us to have a conversation on what this means to all of us. It is an opportunity to consider how best to deal with the challenges that lie ahead and ensure the best possible outcome for Ireland and to gain agreement on shared priorities for Northern Ireland. This situation is not of our making. It is not the outcome that we, the Irish Government, and many others, wanted. But we must respect the outcome of the democratic process in the United Kingdom (UK). While many uncertainties remain, the UK is now on a course that will fundamentally change its relationship with the European Union (EU). And for the first time, when the negotiations are complete, Ireland will be an EU member and the UK will not. The priorities for the Government are well set out - the economy and trade; Northern Ireland and the peace process; the border and the Common Travel Area; as well as the future of the EU itself. In Fine Gael, we are especially
Colm Brophy TD with Brian Hayes MEP
conscious of the concerns of people on both sides of the border. As a member of the Joint Oireachtas on European Affairs and a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, I have been working on behalf of the Irish Government to highlight
the importance of Ireland’s unique position with my European Colleagues. If you have specific concerns regarding Brexit, or input you would like to provide, please do get in touch. You can contact our dedicated webpage at:
» BrexitResponse.ie «
COLM
BROPHY TD Your local Fine Gael team working with Colm Brophy TD:
Cllr Paula Donovan Cllr Anne-Marie Dermody Cllr Brian Lawlor Brian Hayes MEP
BREXIT: OUR BACKGROUND On the 23rd of June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. This decision is commonly referred to as ‘Brexit’. The formal procedure for a Member State to withdraw from the EU is outlined in Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. The Prime Minister of the UK, Theresa May, MP, has stated her intention to trigger Article 50 by the end of March 2017. From this point, the EU and the UK have a time-frame of two years to come to a withdrawal agreement. After two
years have elapsed, membership ends automatically, unless the European Council and the UK unanimously agree to extend this period. Ireland is the most advanced EU Member State both in terms of preparations for Brexit and in terms of the detailed work undertaken since the referendum took place. Prior to the vote, Departments right across Government, under the Taoiseach’s direction, prepared contingency measures so that Ireland
would be prepared for a vote by the UK to exit the EU. This allowed the Government to adopt, on the day of the referendum result, a Contingency Framework identifying key policy issues to be managed by Government Departments arising from the referendum vote in the UK to leave the EU. The European Council, of which the Taoiseach is a member, will determine the political direction of Brexit negotiations. The Taoiseach is therefore leading Ireland’s response domestically and internationally.
THE PRIORITY AREAS: THE ECONOMY AND TRADE €1.2 billion per week in goods and services is traded between Ireland and the UK and therefore, Brexit has implications for business and selfemployed people right across the country. While we are confident that our economy is resilient and that
appropriate fiscal policies are in place, the Brexit process continues to evolve and our responses will continue to evolve too. In Budget 2017, the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, TD,
introduced a number of measures to counter some of the impacts of Brexit including: significant additional • Allocating resources to Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to protect Irish jobs and assist Irish businesses;
package of measures to help the • Aagrifood sector; extension of benefits to the self• An employed; changes to the tax regime • Positive for entrepreneurs; retention of the 9 per cent VAT • The rate for the hospitality sector; funding for Revenue to • Additional enable it to minimise possible costs
for business while maximising the facilitation of trade.
The negotiating position of the UK has become clearer following the speech by the Prime Minister of the UK, Theresa May, MP, on 17th January 2017. We will continue to adapt our policies appropriately to address new circumstances as they arise. An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD, meeting with Prime Minister, Theresa May, MP.
R RESPONSE NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE PEACE PROCESS Common EU citizenship for all the people of the island of Ireland helped to foster our Peace Process. On a more practical level, the EU had a pivotal role in the Peace Process – providing generous financial support and a forum for cooperation on areas of mutual interest for politicians and officials across both islands. Fine Gael wants to preserve the gains of the Peace Process and, to this end, in Government we are working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive and UK Government, along with our partners across the EU, in line with our obligations under the Good Friday Agreement.
invisible border and the Common Travel Area are shared priorities. Fine Gael has established a North-South stream under our Working Group on Brexit and Deputy Fergus O’Dowd is meeting with political parties and other stakeholders from Northern Ireland and
the border region. There will also be continued engagement with Stormont and Westminster parliamentarians through the work of the Oireachtas: most notably, the North South Inter Parliamentary Association and the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly.
Since the referendum, the North South Ministerial Council has had two Brexit focused plenary meetings, as well as a series of sectoral meetings. Common principles have been agreed and ministers from the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are working together to identify the possible risks, opportunities and contingencies that may arise from Brexit. Protecting the gains of the Peace Process, the Taoiseach Enda Kenny, TD, speaking at the All-Island Civic Dialogue held in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on 2nd November 2016.
THE BORDER AND THE COMMON TRAVEL AREA The invisible border on our island is an important dividend from our Peace Process. Brexit raises the possibility of that border becoming an EU frontier. Fine Gael believes it is critically important to maintain the invisible border. The Common Travel Area (CTA) allows people to move freely across both islands. The CTA has been in place since Irish independence and it is part of our unique historical relationship with the UK. Fine Gael wants to preserve the CTA, conscious of its central importance to the lives of so many people as well as long-established benefits for trade and tourism.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, TD, meeting the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, MP.
The historical nature and critical importance of the Common Travel Area are being consistently highlighted by Fine Gael in discussions with fellow EU Member State Governments - including the UK - and in our engagement with the Northern Ireland Executive.
THE FUTURE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND IRELAND’S PLACE WITHIN IT The Irish people have a clear understanding of the many advantages of EU membership and support for EU membership remains high. Fine Gael has always been fully committed to Ireland’s membership of the EU and the Eurozone. We want Ireland to be at the heart of a strong and resilient EU and
at the meeting of European leaders in Bratislava on 16 September 2016, the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD, outlined Ireland’s vision for the renewal and the future of the European Union. We will continue to contribute to that ongoing discussion so that the EU can be reflective of its people’s needs and
responsive to the challenges currently presented. The Taoiseach Enda Kenny, TD, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, and the Minister for European Affairs, Dara Murphy, TD, remain actively engaged with their European counterparts, as do other Fine Gael Ministers.
KEY QUESTIONS What will the economic relationship between the EU and the UK be following Brexit? Prime Minister May has made clear that she wishes to secure the closest possible future economic relationship for Britain with the EU. This is a goal that Ireland shares. We will be working constructively to ensure that close relationship can be a reality.
What will happen to Irish citizens living in the UK? Irish citizens living in the UK are legally resident in the UK. Current rules governing the residence rights of Irish citizens in the UK remain in place. The detail of the UK’s exit from the EU will be worked out over a negotiation period that is expected to commence once Article 50 is triggered and that is likely to take a minimum of 2 years. We are acutely conscious of the importance of ensuring the continuance of the unique position of the Irish in the UK and will work closely with our UK counterparts, EU partners and others to protect the interests of Irish people living in the UK.
Should Ireland leave the EU too? Ireland remains fully committed to our membership of the EU and the Eurozone.
Ireland has clearly benefited from EU membership over the years and will continue to benefit from our position as an English speaking gateway to a market of over 440 million people with a talented and educated workforce once the UK leaves the EU. At the meeting of European leaders in Bratislava on 16 September 2016, the Taoiseach outlined Ireland’s vision for the renewal and the future of the European Union. We will continue to contribute to that ongoing discussion so that the EU can be reflective of its people’s needs and responsive to the challenges currently presented.
Will the UK lower their Corporation Tax Rate to compete with Ireland? UK tax issues are a matter for the UK administration and Parliament. The Department of Finance will of course examine any such proposals as and when the details are available. At 12.5%, Ireland has one of the most competitive and stable headline corporate tax rates in the OECD. Ireland's long-term commitment to the 12.5% rate ensures that we remain highly competitive and supports Ireland's ability to attract and retain investment from around the world. Our competitive rate of corporation tax has been an important part of our industrial policy since the 1950s, and has attracted real and substantive operations to Ireland since then.
Why don’t we have a dedicated Brexit Minister? At EU level, Brexit negotiations are under the direction of the European Council, of which the Taoiseach is a member. The Taoiseach is leading Ireland’s response to Brexit internationally and domestically. The EU - and Brexit - is a matter for every Government Department and the Taoiseach is leading a coordinated response through a range of mechanisms including a special Cabinet Committee on Brexit. The Department of the Taoiseach has also been restructured to coordinate the whole-of-government response.
Minister of State for European Affairs, Dara Murphy, TD, attending a European People's Party (EPP) Political Assembly with President of the EPP, Joseph Daul, MEP.
Both Fine Gael and the Government are undertaking a significant series of consultations, particularly at sectoral level. We had the second plenary session of the All-Island Civic Dialogue on 17th February 2017. This had a focused agenda and built on the themes of the first successful meeting, which took place in November 2016. At the same time, under the Taoiseach’s
leadership and direction, Government Departments are currently refining their analysis, examining all possible models for the future UK relationship with the EU, from single market membership to full exit of the customs union. We now have some clarity on the UK 'ask' and we are preparing for a range of possibilities in the period leading up to the triggering of Article
50. It is clear that the negotiation process will be extremely complex. We want to get people involved and play a positive role in meeting the challenges of Brexit. We want to hear from you and understand what concerns you have in the context of Brexit. Please contact us with your feedback at: BrexitResponse.ie
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COLM
BROPHY TD
Dáil Éireann Leinster House Kildare Street D02 A272
01-6183196 colm.brophy@oireachtas.ie
ColmBrophyFineGael @brophytalks
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