Dr. Stanisaw Szwabski:

We in the European Union are accustomed to promoting projects which can be described as win-win. Even the states that are net contributors to the European budget win. Unquestionably, the Brexit project is a lose-lose project irrespective of what the final result will be. Irrespective of the final agreement everyone will lose. I hope that possibly Ireland will not lose more than the others.

My political group in the European Committee of the Regions is very much involved in the process of following the negotiations. Last September, I had the opportunity to meet Deputy Darragh O'Brien and Senator Richmond to discuss the impact of Brexit on Ireland. That meeting highlighted the incredibly negative impact on the Border area as well as it being something that will directly impact people in Ireland, Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom. Since then we have also seen that it will have a huge impact on other regions across Europe. A few weeks ago I was in the Port of Zeebrugge. Over 40% of its trade is with the United Kingdom. Brexit will impact up to 10,000 jobs. It is a priority for Flanders to have clarity on the next steps to UK withdrawal.

I wish to hear more from members of the committee about citizens' rights. I imagine this would be of huge importance for the numbers of Irish in the UK and vice versa. It is also very important for Polish citizens in the United Kingdom. There are also practical issues such as all-island agriculture solutions. What can be done to mitigate the consequences of Brexit in this very important sector?

I thank the committee for this interesting meeting.