The Government has published the Omnibus Bill, which deals with changes to laws that will be needed in the event of the UK leaving the EU without an agreement on 29 March.

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Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019:

Part 1 – Preliminary and General

Providing for the commencement of the different parts of the Bill by the relevant Ministers on such day and time as is appropriate.

Part 2 – Arrangements in relation to Health Services

In the event that the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019 without a withdrawal agreement in place, it is necessary to put in place legislative provisions to enable essential Common Travel Area healthcare arrangements, including reimbursement arrangements, to be maintained between Ireland and the UK.

Part 3 - Amendment to Industrial Development Acts 1986 to 2014

Designed to limit the negative effects Brexit could have on vulnerable enterprises by giving Enterprise Ireland extra powers to further support businesses through investment, loans and RD&I grants.

Part 4 – Amendment of Electricity Regulation Act 1999

Ireland’s all-island Single Electricity Market (SEM), which was established in 2007, has delivered an efficient, competitive and secure market for customers in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The purpose of Part 4 is to allow the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to quickly modify licences of Irish-based participants in the wholesale electricity market on a temporary basis in the event of a no deal Brexit and in order to ensure that any issues of non-compliance with EU law can be addressed.

Part 5 – Amendment of Student Support Act 2011

Eligible students studying in the UK and UK nationals studying in Ireland, currently qualify for SUSI grants by virtue of the fact that the UK is a Member State of the EU. The purpose of Part 5 is to make sure that, even after the UK leaves the EU, these arrangements can continue to apply to eligible Irish students studying in the UK, as well as the payment of SUSI grants to UK students in Irish higher education institutions.

Part 6: Taxation

Part 6 provides for the modification of Income Tax, Capital Tax, Corporation Tax and Stamp Duty legislation in order to ensure continuity for businesses and citizens in relation to their current access to certain taxation measures including reliefs and allowances.

Part 7 – Financial Services: Settlement Finality (Third Country Provisions)

The purpose of this part is to introduce legislative amendments to support the implementation of the European Commission's equivalence decision under the Central Securities Depositories (CSD) Regulation and to extend the protections contained in the Settlement Finality Directive to Irish participants in relevant third country domiciled settlement systems.

Part 8 – Financial Services: Amendment to the European Union (Insurance and Reinsurance) Regulations 2015 and the European Union (Insurance Distribution) Regulations 2018

This part of the Bill provides for a temporary run-off regime, which, subject to a number of conditions, will enable UK insurance undertakings and intermediaries to continue to fulfil contractual obligations to their Irish customers for a period of three years after the date of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Part 9 – Amendment of Harbours Act 1996

This part provides for an extension of the period of validity of Pilot Exemption Certificates issued by Harbour companies to relevant seafarers, e.g., to Ships Masters on ferries, from the existing maximum one year period to a maximum of three years. It will also allow for existing holders of Pilot Exemption Certificates to apply for new certificates in the period leading up to 29 March, even if their existing Exemption Certificate may not have expired.

Part 10 – Third Country Bus Services

The purpose of this Part is to provide on a precautionary basis for a regulatory regime in relation to bus and coach passenger services between Ireland and a country which is not part of the EU.

Part 11 – Amendments to the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005

This part enables the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to make orders with regard to arrangements with other States. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has finalised an agreement in the field of social security with the UK under the Common Travel Area, which effectively provides for the continuation of current arrangements post Brexit.

Part 12 – Amendments to the Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) Act 1984

In a no-deal scenario, once the UK leaves the EU and becomes a third country, employers in a state of insolvency under the laws of the UK would no longer fall within the scope of the Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) Act unless it is amended. The purpose of this part is to ensure that, in the event of an employer becoming insolvent under the laws of the UK, their employees who work and pay PRSI in Ireland, will continue to be covered by the protections set out in the Act.

Part 13 – Amendment of Extradition Act 1965

In the event of a no-deal Brexit the European Arrest Warrant system will cease to apply to the UK. This part provides for the maintenance of arrangements in relation to extradition of citizens between Ireland and the UK under the 1957 Council of Europe Convention on Extradition.

Part 14 – Immigration

These provisions amend the Immigration Act 1999 and 2003 to confirm that immigration officers, in considering removing or deporting a person from the State, have, in line with EU and international obligations, the power to undertake refoulement consideration.

Part 15 – Miscellaneous

This part provides that the term ‘Member State’ where used in any enactment shall be interpreted as including the UK for the duration of any transition period, in the context of a withdrawal agreement between the UK and the EU being ratified by the UK.

Next steps:

Week of 25 Feb - Brexit Bill in 2nd Stage in Dáil

Week of 4 March - Brexit Bill in Committee, Report and Final Stage in the Dáil

Week of 11 March - Brexit Bill in Seanad