Mr. Mickey Brady:

I thank Mr. Fearon, Mr. Sheridan and Mr. Kelly for their presentation. As someone who represents a Border constituency, Brexit is a major issue. One of the issues discussed is the common travel area. As I have stated at previous meetings, this appears to be a red herring because it will not directly impact on people who live in Border areas, for example, someone who lives in Newry and travels to Dundalk to work. The impact will be on business, commerce and agriculture.

In my constituency of Newry-Armagh, approximately £200 million was invested in rural development between 2007 and 2014. A brand new, state-of-the-art centre was built in Cullaville with local council and European money. For every £100 received by small farmers in the constituency, approximately £87 is European money. I note in this regard that Mr. Kelly comes from a farming background. Is there a belief among farmers that the British Government will replace this money? If Brexit will have any financial benefits for Britain, they will be felt in the south-east of England. Newry-Armagh and Fermanagh-South Tyrone will certainly not benefit. This is a real danger. People in my constituency, especially farmers, are asking who will replace European Union money. Farmers are having a difficult enough time as matters stand.

My constituency has very strong community infrastructure.

That is directly under threat because a lot of the money comes from European Union funding, etc., with the Peace I, II and III and INTERREG. What happens all of that? Have the witnesses any particular thoughts or comments on that? We could go on all day about the adverse effects of Brexit. There may be some positive results but they are not obvious or evident at this point in time. If one listened on Sunday to Prime Minister Theresa May in her first interview about this, the British have no plan A, B or C. They are totally at sea as to how Brexit may or may not be implemented, even in terms of a timescale. It seems to be very much up in the air.