Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The delegates are more than welcome. They come from one of my favourite parts of the world. Warrenpoint is absolutely beautiful. I love the place and the drive right up into Newcastle. It is a wonderful place. I have a lovely photograph from the 1930s of my father up there. He was a chauffeur. My mother never asked why his favourite song was "My Lagan Love". She was from Mayo. I do not believe that the two quite match. That is another day's work.

Following on from what Dr. Alasdair McDonnell said, are people travelling from the South to the North to work in the public service there? People from the North are certainly travelling to work in the HSE and various other organisations. This is causing problems in the context of pensions, which is why I ask the question.

Industries have been mentioned. SMEs have opened on both sides of the Border. I congratulate the delegates on the reduction in the unemployment rate. Are there companies with plant on either side of the Border? If so, what sort of general value is placed on it?

We were talking a little while ago about going to Brussels. If ever witnesses before this committee demonstrated the problem we have, the three gentlemen present today have done so. They have shown just how inextricably linked are the two sides. That is really important to understand. Have the delegates any knowledge of the number of students who are crossing over the Border to go to Dundalk Institute of Technology or the further education colleges, and the number from the South who are travelling to colleges in the North? That is of interest to me.

I am asking many questions and I am sure the delegation will do its best to answer them. The delegates have worked with other agencies with respect to Brexit and on how it will affect them. What are those agencies?

I congratulate Warrenpoint on being the second harbour in the North and the fifth on the island. Perhaps some people in Drogheda are wondering whether, if there were a bar on free movement over and back, their town would benefit.