Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank both of the witnesses for their attendance and worthwhile contributions. I have a number of questions, some of which have been touched on.

Recently I organised a meeting on Brexit in Sligo that was attended by almost 250 people, including people from the farming community. As the Chairman has outlined, I represent a constituency region that comprises Sligo, Leitrim and parts of west Cavan and south Donegal. The region encompasses a very significant number of people who have had a big connection with cross-Border activities over the years, for example, the tourism sector through the Wild Atlantic Way and the education sector. A large number students from my area have studied in Coleraine College, Queen's University Belfast and in many other educational institutions in the North.

These are major concerns for parents in my area. We talk about tourism and education, but farming is a huge issue as well. A haulage contractor made one of the major comments on that night. He operates in and out of Northern Ireland and is using the Northern ports every day. He brought home to us the implications of Brexit for his business and many other businesses and the many other people who use Northern Ireland.

One of the witnesses mentioned farming in his contributions. Many of the farmers operating in my area are cattle dealers from Northern Ireland buying cattle and transporting them to Northern Ireland. What are the implications for the farming community with regard to the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP?

As a member of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, the implications of Brexit for the Good Friday Agreement and the benefits we have derived from that Agreement over the years are the issues I am concerned about.