Feb 21 - Brexit Planning Continues - Select Committee, Heads Of Department And Unions Briefed
The Opposition Members of the Brexit Select Committee were briefed in detail by the Government this morning on the plans for a no deal Brexit. The briefing lasted for nearly two hours.
The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia, and included the members of the Brexit Strategic Group, who are the Chief Secretary Darren Grech, the Civil Contingencies Coordinator Ivor Lopez and Principal Secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister Caine Sanchez.
The Opposition Members at the meeting were: Daniel Feetham, Marlene Hassan Nahon and Trevor Hammond.
A detailed presentation was given to those present with the opportunity to ask questions and to comment.
Also today, the Chief Secretary chaired a meeting of the Brexit Executive Committee which regularly engages with the Heads of major Government departments to coordinate their own contingency plans and to consider their possible actions in the event of various Brexit scenarios. This morning, after the previous meeting, the Chief Secretary also briefed senior union officials.
Chief Secretary, Darren Grech said, ‘We feel that, as important stakeholders, it is imperative that unions are fully briefed on the Government’s contingency plans in order that they can keep their members in the picture.
‘Meanwhile, in the Executive Group, we consider several different Brexit scenarios in order to be well prepared for everything – from the best-case right through to the worst-case.’
The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia said:
“The Government continues to plan for the eventuality of a no deal Brexit. We have moved from a hypothetical situation to a potential reality. Departments are now coming through with funding and resourcing requests in order to implement the policy decisions that have been taken. It is important to bear in mind that just because we are preparing for a no deal Brexit, it does not mean that this is going to happen. The United Kingdom and the European Union are both working towards the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement that was concluded in November and which provides for the UK and Gibraltar’s orderly exit from the European Union.”
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