Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A number of risk analyses of job creation have been made by various bodies. They are of value, but the value is limited because we do not yet know what Brexit means. We do not know what the new trading relationship will be between the United Kingdom and the European Union. All the analyses can do is consider various potential scenarios and try to map out the impact they may have on job creation. They are of value, but it is, unfortunately, limited.

The Government is seeking the relocation here of the European Medicines Agency, EMA, and the European Banking Authority. We have put Ireland forward as a candidate country for these institutions and a further presentation will be made in Brussels this week. We have fallen down on the matter of video conferencing where the EMA is concerned, but we believe we can resolve that issue before the meeting. We are doing well overall on job creation. Today the unemployment rate is approximately 6.1%. We already have an EU agency located in Loughlinstown, Eurofound, with which Deputy Joan Burton will be familiar.

The events in Catalonia were discussed at the Cabinet meeting this morning. It is not intended to discuss the matter at the Cabinet sub-committee too. I answered questions about it in more detail earlier.

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