Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As a former trade unionist, I have not always been complimentary towards IBEC but I have to say that with respect to the European project, and particularly in respect to the threat of Brexit, IBEC has been exemplary in its approach. Its constant briefs and work in the area has been most impressive and I put on record my congratulations in that regard.

On the future of Europe, one of the greatest threats is that of migration as it is occurring across Europe in an uncontrolled way. It is a much bigger threat than Brexit. Having been to Sicily to look at the problem, I am aware the refugee crisis, as it was traditionally known, is now a migration crisis largely based on economic migration rather than on refugees. It is a problem for Europe. Some of IBEC's members left this country to go to the cheaper economies to manufacture yet their prices have not changed. Sports and t-shirt manufacturers, in particular, have gone to Morocco and China and other places. I am interested in IBEC's view on tax and how the tax system may be used to equalise investment in those third world countries, in other words how to take the super-normal profits off them and reinvest them in those countries.

I agree with the point made on delaying foreign direct investment. No European unit should be able to control the FDI of any member state. Member states are out there competing for foreign direct investment and IBEC has a role in that. Without doubt, we have to look at Brexit as we look at the development of the European Union. It is my view the British Government will not impose a border of any sort in the North of Ireland. We will finish up with a situation like that on the frontier between Greece and Turkey where there is no frontier on the Turkish side but one on the Greek side. It will eventually mean the Irish will be the people who finish up having to manage the Border, not the British.

Last week, we met businesses in Cushendall and Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland. I met a very large transport company in Cushendall which was going to relocate to Dublin because it will lose its customers if it does not. The entire organisation of shell-fisheries will be wiped out on Rathlin Island. Kelp production on Rathlin island will be wiped out. Some of these are transferable to the Republic but some are not. If there is no border, what is to stop 40 ft trailers coming across the Border? If we have a divergence in standards, how will it impact the Irish market, for example, if British beef is coming through an open border? The British have no interest in putting a border in place. I am interested in the witnesses' view on that.

The area of cyber security was mentioned. It is an area in which I have a deep interest. We are totally unprepared for serious cyber security management. I am interested in IBEC's view on that. As far as I recall, we have three people at the top of the cyber security system. At times, some of them are not available because they are called away to other duties. That is absolutely frightening. On the weekend of the recent major attack, it is my understanding that nobody was on duty at all in the cyber security framework in Ireland, or at least nobody at a senior level. I have been calling for some time for a director of national intelligence to take over these roles. I am interested in the witnesses' view on that.

I disagree with my colleague on the expansion of Europe. I would be inclined to consolidate now rather than risk expanding to the point where we start diminishing marginal returns. I am interested in the witnesses' view on that. Those concerned with the Common Agricultural Policy, youth affairs and social affairs all want more money but there will be much less money when the British break with Europe.

I would be interested to hear how Dr. Ivory sees the change in income for the European project through its member states. Does he see Ireland, and the other countries, having to pony up, so to speak, more money? Do they have the money to pony up more?

I refer to the expansion of our ports. I will be looking for the view of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, IBEC, on this but it is my view that we cannot be transporting across the United Kingdom if we are looking at the possibility of tariffs on the way in and on the way out. I would be interested in hearing Dr. Ivory's views on that. I am sorry for having so many questions, Chairman.