Mr. Shane Campbell:

I thank the committee for the opportunity to engage with it. I also thank Dr. Soares and the Centre for Cross Border Studies for facilitating the engagement.

The Irish Central Border Area Network, ICBAN, is another local authority led cross-Border partnership. We cover the area known as the central Border region and the eight council areas of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon; Cavan; Donegal; Fermanagh and Omagh; Leitrim; Mid-Ulster; Monaghan; and Sligo. It is a predominantly rural area with few large settlements, and small businesses are the backbone of the economy. It is recognised that Brexit represents the greatest challenge to cross-Border co-operation since the Troubles. Joint studies between ICBAN and Queen's University have identified uncertainties already impacting on the lives of Border citizens and businesses and that the most important community consideration is protecting the hard-won peace.

No one knows what Brexit will bring, but on the understanding it will create change, I will make some comments on supporting and sustaining communities and small businesses in the area post Brexit. There is a continuing need to ensure free movement of people, goods and services. In the rural community context this includes ensuring access to health and education services. Brexit has challenged communication in the area. Therefore, it is vitally important to prioritise North-South and cross-Border co-operation regardless of Brexit outcomes and, in so doing, to help work against any drift to back-to-back development again. For example, in reference to the national development plan and the planning framework and in the absence of a regional development strategy review in Northern Ireland, cognisance should be taken of the fact that, through local development plans, Northern Ireland councils are reaching out to their neighbours.

Connectivity infrastructure is critical to enabling access to services. This includes both digital communications and roads-based transportation. Delivering on the national broadband plan ambitions is critical for rural Border communities. As active commentators on the subject, we encourage an alternative solution to be found if the national broadband plan cannot be advanced further to delivery in its current format.

Strategic road corridors are vital for transportation access and movement. It is vital and would be helpful if both Governments formally recommitted to the long-planned N2-A5 Dublin to Derry dual carriageway project. The importance of the A4-N16 Sligo to Ballygawley and Belfast route is important for east-west navigation and needs support from both Governments.

There are many successful examples where Government has helped to spur on a renewed regional economy. The central Border region would benefit from such bespoke intervention to complement local leadership and initiatives being taken there.

While national Government attention is focused on Brexit, the delivery of local services must continue to be a priority. Local authorities from both sides of the Border must be supported to engage through community planning with its focus on the economic and social elements of well-being.

Continued direct interventions into promoting co-operation are needed, through the delivery of PEACE, INTERREG and LEADER funds in arrangements between the UK and EU or, in the absence of these, ensuring they are directly replaced. These supports have been vital for communities and businesses of the region. They should include provision for the softer people-to-people and community-based initiatives, to help maintain good relations, alongside infrastructure supports. There should also be support for the revitalisation of Border towns and villages which have been in persistent decline.

Government, telecoms providers and the regulator must ensure that inadvertent roaming charges are not reintroduced, which would disenfranchise Border region communities as a consequence of the UK planning to leave the digital Single Market.