Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am moving slightly away from today's specific topic, but there has already been a huge downer for business and communities in the Border region. I know of businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises in particular, that are very heavily reliant or totally dependent on the British market and the Northern Ireland market. They have put on hold plans to develop, expand jobs and create additional employment because of the uncertainty. This arose immediately following the deterioration in the value of sterling against the euro. This has stabilised to some extent, but there is huge uncertainty, and it would hit the small and medium-sized enterprises more than the larger enterprises because many of the business I know well from my area depend particularly on the Northern Ireland market and the British market as their export base, so they see the particular difficulties. If good trade agreements are not in place from a British point of view and if World Trade Organization, WTO, tariffs kick in, there will be huge knock-on negative impacts for the agrifood and other sectors. We, as a State, need to support the enterprises that are creating very valuable employment in these areas. Many of these companies were established in the very hostile times of the Troubles and all the mayhem that occurred throughout the province of Ulster, with paramilitary activity and needless maiming and murder of people. Businesses established at that time have come through very difficult periods and now provide stable employment. While we have had a positive political dispensation since 1998, these businesses now see extra challenges again.

A critical evaluation of the infrastructural needs of the Border region needs to be carried out. If enterprise is to have any hope of remaining competitive in the region, we need huge upgrading of infrastructure. I know the Minister has given a commitment to review the capital programme. If possible, I would like in that review a particular evaluation of the needs of the Border region for infrastructural investment and upgrade because of the particular challenges hitting us right away. I sincerely hope that in the capital envelope available to the Minister over the next few years, he can target some specific funding towards upgrading infrastructure in the Border region because of these particular challenges. I am thinking of the road network, broadband, etc.