Stakeholder Engagement July 2019

Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

In recent months, the Government’s stakeholder outreach and communications activities have increasingly focused on preparing businesses and citizens for the practical implications of Brexit, including a no deal scenario.

Communications: Public Information and Outreach

Across government departments and state agencies, extensive work has taken place to inform businesses and citizens about how to prepare for Brexit, including:
 Getting Ireland Brexit Ready campaign – commenced in September 2018;  Over 100 Brexit information seminars and events since September 2018;  Nationwide media campaign (including radio, TV, print and online) – reached over 90% of the population;  750,000 leaflets distributed nationwide through 5,000 public outlets;  gov.ie/brexit launched in February 2019 – provides practical advice for businesses and citizens;  A series of trader engagement seminars held by Revenue to inform traders of customs requirements post-Brexit;  A ports campaign run by Revenue in April – Revenue engaged directly with truck drivers at Dublin and Rosslare Ports;  4,000 participants at Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) events, including free customs training;  Further sectoral events held by agencies, including Bord Bia and the Health and Safety Authority;
 Direct engagement by over 1,000 SMEs with the InterTradeIreland Brexit Advisory Service so far in 2019;  Enterprise Ireland Brexit Scorecard used by over 5,300 companies as a first step in developing their Brexit plan;  Dedicated @BrexitReadyIRL Twitter account – in place since September 2018 to answer queries from members of the public covering a range of issues.
A full calendar of Brexit information seminars and events is available at www.dfa.ie/brexit.

Stakeholder engagement is a central pillar of the Government’s overall response to Brexit. Extensive engagement has taken place across Government, including through:
 The All-Island Civic Dialogue  The Brexit Stakeholder Forum  The Labour Employer Economic Forum  The Enterprise Forum on Brexit and Global Challenges  The Retail Consultation Forum  The Maritime Stakeholders Forum  The National Civic Aviation Development Forum  The Stakeholders Consultative Committee on Brexit (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Next Steps

The Government is now launching a new phase of this programme of communications and stakeholder engagement. This will focus on moving businesses and people to take action in advance of a possible no deal Brexit on 31 October. It will include:
 A particular focus on targeted information campaigns for audiences that need to take specific actions to prepare for Brexit.
 Prioritised communications to affected businesses, particularly smaller businesses and those operating in sectors that are most exposed, including construction, manufacturing, retail, agri-food and road haulage.
 An intensified and individual business-focused engagement programme by Revenue, which is designed to support and assist those individual businesses to understand the potential impact of Brexit and how to prepare for and mitigate the risks.

This will include individualised letters that will issue to each trader on a phased basis starting in July with follow up phone calls by Revenue staff in July/August. A dedicated number will be provided on the letters to enable traders to contact a dedicated Revenue support team.

 Registering for an EORI number as the critical first step in preparing for Brexit. However, using the individualised letters and associated follow up calls, Revenue will highlight other steps necessary to prepare for Brexit, especially relating to customs declarations and classification, and other obligations relating to guarantees, authorisations and, if required, third-party licencing.

 A public information campaign and stakeholder engagement in the weeks leading up to 31 October, which will focus on ensuring that businesses are aware of the steps they need to take and how to take those steps.

 A major national checklist campaign.

 Issuing of direct communications by departments and agencies to ensure that businesses affected by potential changes (e.g., medical devices, chemicals regulations, data, licencing, regulation) are prepared for Brexit.

 Continued use of the gov.ie/brexit website as the central portal of information, which will be updated as new information becomes available.
As has been the case to date, the communications and stakeholder campaign will be coordinated across government departments and agencies to maximise effectiveness and impact.

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