Ms Roisín Mulgrew:

I thank the committee for the invitation to appear before it. I am the chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. I live in the south Armagh area. I cannot begin to emphasise the concern we have within my community and where I live. Perhaps the further north one goes, the less of a concern it becomes, although I am unsure whether that is wise.

In south Armagh, Brexit affects every strand of our lives. My children have had some of their education in establishments in the South of the country. Some relatives of mine have gone to university on exchange programmes throughout Europe. My background is in the small business community. In the towns of Dundalk and Newry, it is apparent that there is reluctance on the part of people to make any personal private investment in business. I have no doubt that Brexit is the reason. We are not in an especially strong manufacturing area. We rely heavily on trade, agriculture, tourism and the public sector. I do not believe any of those will not be affected by Brexit.

Daisy Hill Hospital is a major concern for us. It is my understanding from the Bengoa report that the demographics included the people who cross the invisible Border from Louth and Monaghan to use those hospital services and they were very much part of the protection of the services in Daisy Hill Hospital. It is vital that this continues to be acknowledged.

I have some concerns. I have heard comment in recent days from members of the Border Communities against Brexit group. After staging one of their mock border posts on the Border at Carrickcarnon, those involved were contacted by a media station in England. The reporter talked to them about the impact of Brexit. When the group members highlighted their concern about customs posts and hard borders, they were asked if they did not already have border posts. That is the level of concern and knowledge about us in England. The reporter did not even realise that there were no customs posts along the Border. That is of major concern. The people I represent believe that it is only ourselves, those in this building, Deputies, Senators, MLAs and MEPs who will protect us. We do not believe MPs, including Theresa May, either know or care about us. I urge Senators not to let the communities in the Border down on this issue.