“Government will seek to pursue any appropriate opportunities for Ireland arising from the UK’s departure”

As mentioned in a couple of recent written answers in the Dáil, here and here, the Irish “Government will seek to pursue any appropriate opportunities for Ireland arising from the UK’s departure” from the EU.

Here are those written answers

Brexit Issues

581. Deputy Niall Collins   asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport   if he has set up a departmental taskforce to acquire EU agencies and research projects from the UK that may have to relocate from Britain after Brexit negotiations are completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28265/16]

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross):   My Department is represented on the Interdepartmental Group on EU/UK Affairs. My Department has also established an internal group on EU/UK affairs. Part of the objective of both groups is to identify potential opportunities arising from the UK’s exit from the European Union.

UK Referendum on EU Membership

600. Deputy Niall Collins   asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation   if she has had any discussions at EU Council level in redistributing EU agencies from the UK after Brexit negotiations are completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28245/16]

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor):   I have not had discussions to date at the Council of Ministers on the reassignment of European Union agencies after the UK’s departure from the EU.

While Government will seek to pursue any appropriate opportunities for Ireland arising from the UK’s departure, there are no specific plans at present in relation to EU agencies within the direct responsibility of my Department.

It is entirely appropriate for the Irish Government to both identify and pursue such opportunities.  It’s what Governments should be doing.  Including the administration at Stormont…

Pete Baker