World- Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe announced a 1.2-billion-euro (1.3-billion-dollar) package of measures
to help Irish businesses if Britain crashes out of the European Union
without a deal.
"These are times without precedent," Donohoe told the Irish
parliament. "This is a budget that has been prepared in the shadow of
Brexit."
"With just 23 days to go, the decisions I will announce today have
been informed by the possibility of a no-deal Brexit," he said.
There would be 200 million euros in extra funding for ports, airports
and the technology management required to prepare for Brexit, Donohoe
said.
"If there is a no-deal Brexit, there will be 950 million euros in
borrowed money to assist agricultural, enterprise and tourism
sectors.
"If a no-deal does not happen, the money will not be borrowed," he
added.
The government has selected 110 enterprises that were "vulnerable,
but viable" for targeted interventions. These were businesses
operating within food, manufacturing and internationally traded
services, he said.
The beef industry, the fishing industry, and tourism would be given
special priority.
No deal is not inevitable, Donohoe said, but the country must be
prepared for it.
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's centre-right Fine Gael minority
government is reliant on the support of opposition Fianna Fail.
Donohoe thanked the Fianna Fail for supporting the budget.
IOL