Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman.

What I heard was very pessimistic. I know the witnesses come here with a tremendous sense of pessimism and foreboding. However, I also heard much creativity and ways out of the problems which they said have been exacerbated and which they are trying to get through. Now they have been halted. I also know and love the area, since my mother is from Omeath near Newry. I know what the witnesses are talking about in that area. I have spent much time in Derry. This raises a question for me. Have the witnesses sat down and thought about a major communications strategy? I do not mean within their committees or different elements of Europe or this project and that. I mean a communications strategy for southerners. Many people who live in Dublin or in Kerry do not really get it where the Border is concerned, unless they have reason to go there or have business there. The average person went to Newry to shop, left Newry and came home. Those people perhaps do not get the problem. Do the witnesses have a communications strategy to communicate to the island, including the southerners, exactly what these problems are so that we understand it? I do not mean on specific specialised Seanad matters. We had the former Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, in the Seanad Special Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, which was brought about by Independent Senators. I do not mean that. That will happen anyway. I do not mean it even at a Government level. I mean it at a people level, at our level, and at the level of people in public service. Maybe the witnesses could answer that point.

The first of Ms Joan Martin's community goals, which I think are excellent, is for flourishing communities and access to education, well-being in children and friendly society. Which one of these is Ms Martin most concerned about? The second question is on economic goals. Which one of these is completely flourishing? Would Ms Martin also tell me why she feels that Carlingford - one of the most beautiful, extraordinary places near Omeath, which looks like parts of Switzerland - is not on a par with Omeath for tourism?

The other question arises from the communications matter. How do the witnesses intend to get their voices heard outside here - this is a wonderful platform - in places where they need to be heard? Can they also talk to me about Magee College? Most of us come to this politically. We come from different backgrounds, whether cultural, touristic or education, and bring that knowledge with us. I bring a huge knowledge of cross-Border education and health, because there have been many of those committees through the cross-Border association. I take on board what the witnesses said about specialists in health care and also what they said about housing and migration. Perhaps they could refer back to education and the expansion of Magee College.

There is much to ask the witnesses. It is really about trying to create a new world, or at least trying to hold on to the world that we had been creating before somebody came in with a big foot and said that is going to stop here. I understand that. I want the witnesses to look at and talk to me about their communications strategy for the public outside their own areas. Look at what happened with water. I am not suggesting that should be a parallel or that it is right or wrong. I mention this regardless of whether I agree, because I have my own personal opinions, but an energy came with that where the people asked what they were going to get. It is an energy one needs to hold onto things, not just specificity around a political morass. Maybe the witnesses could address those points.