By The Irish Government has published a plan for legislation that will underpin the Government’s plan to deal with a hard Brexit. Irish national state broadcaster, RTE, published the following brief and it is reproduced here with all rights reserved.
Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill.
The plan is made up of 17 parts and encompasses nine Irish Government Departments.
The Government is aiming to have the Bill passed by the Oireachtas before 29 March – the day the UK is set to leave the European Union.
The legislation will allow for the continued access to healthcare, social security protection, student support and protection of consumers.
Common Travel Area
The legislation will give effect to commitments to maintain the Common Travel Area in all circumstances and ensure the rights and privileges it affords citizens are protected.
Health
In the area of healthcare, the proposed legislation would allow the Minister for Health and the HSE to cover cost of healthcare provided in the UK under the same conditions as currently exist.
This is where treatments are not provided under the Irish healthcare system or for an Irish person who becomes ill while on a visit to the UK.
Education
The legislation will allow Irish student grants to be paid even if the UK leaves the EU.
Social Protection
The bill will provide for the continued payment of 21 social protection benefits that have a UK element. These include payments such as old age pensions, illness benefits and child benefit.
Workers whose UK-based employer becomes insolvent will also be protected under this legislation.
Consumer Protection
The aim of this legislation is to ensure that there is an adequate protection in place for consumers who have already bought financial service products before the date of Brexit.
Justice and Security
The bill will ensure extradition arrangements between Ireland the UK are maintained.
The Government says the proposed bill will also facilitate “ongoing immigration cooperation arrangements when the UK leaves the EU, including in areas which support the Common Travel Area”.
Transport
The bill provides a statutory basis for cross-border rail services. It will also give the National Transport Authority powers to regulate aspects of bus and coach travel.
Energy
The bill will facilitate the continued operation of the all-island Single Electricity Market in the context of a no-deal Brexit, pending longer term provisions in this area.
Tax
On taxation, proposed measures to adjust Income Tax, Capital Tax, Corporation Tax and Stamp Duty legislation “will seek to ensure continuity for business and citizens in relation to their current access to certain taxation measures”.
This includes reliefs and allowances as well as the retention of a number of anti-avoidance provisions in the event that the UK is no longer a member of the EU/EEA.
The Artists Exemption, which offer limited tax relief to musicians, artists and writers is currently restricted to residents of European Economic Area states.
The new legislation proposes to extend the bill to ensure that UK residents remain included.
The original article is published here.
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