4th September 2019
Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Ministers Heather Humphreys and Helen McEntee launch Getting Your Business Brexit Ready – Practical Steps campaign at RDS this afternoon
National ad campaign urges businesses to take action and review readiness under 9 key areas. Taking action now makes good business sense and will help mitigate the substantial, and growing, risk of a no deal Brexit on 31 October 2019
User-friendly booklet now available online at gov.ie/Brexit
As part of the Government’s ongoing activity to help businesses and consumers to prepare for Brexit, a new campaign has been launched highlighting the practical steps all businesses – large and small – should take NOW to prepare for the UK’s departure from the EU.
These are:
- Understand the new rules for UK importing and exporting
- Review your supply chain and UK market strategy
- Be aware of possible changes to transport and logistics
- Review all your certification, regulation and licencing
- Review your contracts and data management
- Ensure you are maximising Government Brexit programmes and supports
- Manage your cash flow, currency and make sure your banking is in order
- Protect and inform your staff
- Know more about the impact to your sector.
Central to the campaign is a user-friendly digital booklet, which was launched in the RDS this afternoon by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD and Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee TD. The digital booklet, which provides a comprehensive overview for businesses on the core steps they should take, can be accessed at gov.ie/Brexit.
A nationwide advertising campaign will target the previously identified sectors of concern which still have low levels of Brexit preparedness. These include:
- Smaller businesses who may not realise they are trading with the UK
- Construction businesses
- Manufacturing companies
- Agri-food businesses
- Retail, particularly independent shops, and hardware stores that source products from or through the UK
- Hauliers.
These sectors account for a significant quantity of business and jobs right across the country and it is vital that they take the right steps now to minimise the impact of Brexit on their business. The Practical Steps campaign will also be promoted at the Brexit Hub, which will form part of the Government of Ireland presence at the National Ploughing Championships later this month.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney TD says: “A no deal Brexit has profound implications for Ireland on all levels. There remains a substantial risk of a no deal Brexit on 31 October 2019, and work on no deal Brexit preparations has the highest priority across Government. By following these nine practical steps, businesses can ensure that they are as prepared as they can be for the changes Brexit will bring.”
Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD comments: “Continuing to prepare for Brexit makes good business sense. As the UK is one of our closest trading and business partners, this will mean change for all Irish businesses – regardless of location, size or sector. With eight weeks to go until 31 October, Government has published nine steps that businesses, large and small, should do now.”
Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee TD adds: “There is no single approach to getting Brexit ready and there is still some uncertainty regarding what Brexit will mean in practice. However, by taking these nine steps businesses large and small can be as prepared for Brexit as possible. If anyone is concerned about Brexit and the impact it may have on their daily life or their business, there is a single Government website that can start to get you prepared. Go to gov.ie/brexit.”
ENDS/
Notes to editors:
As the Brexit deadline of October 31st nears, Government Departments and Agencies continue their extensive outreach to businesses and the wider public on the impact of Brexit and the need to prepare. The campaign launched today by the Tánaiste and Ministers Humphreys and McEntee is the latest initiative in this collaborative, national effort on delivering essential information to key audiences. The Getting Your Business Brexit Ready: Practical Steps booklet provides a comprehensive overview for businesses on the core steps they should take to prepare for Brexit.
In addition to this national campaign delivered centrally by Government, a number of other campaigns are either under way or will kick off:
- The Government of Ireland presence at the National Ploughing Championships will include a Brexit Hub, which is focussed on providing information, practical workshops, and advice to get Brexit ready.
- The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport renewing their appeal to UK driving licence holders to switch to Irish licences.
- The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission calling on online-retail consumers to be aware of the changes they will see as a result of Brexit.
- The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine raising awareness of the necessary steps required of persons travelling with pets to and from the UK post-Brexit.
- Enterprise Ireland promoting twelve essential Brexit questions to be asked by businesses covering three core themes
- InterTradeIreland appealing to cross-border businesses to take action on the basis of the findings of their commissioned research.
- The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will reach out directly to agri-commodity traders via tailored letters with information on required action.
- Revenue and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have organised engagements with the ferry, haulier and logistics groups.
- Skillnet Ireland will facilitate customs training with businesses as part of their Clear Customs campaign
- Local Enterprise Offices will continue to run Brexit-preparedness events in the coming weeks
The Government continues to warn that a number of sectors are of particular concern due to their low levels of readiness. These sectors are urged to identify their required actions, with nine steps in particular highlighted to assist businesses get started on this work.
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