Mr. Shane Campbell:

The Border region will be probably the EU area most affected by Brexit, whatever may happen. We see change happening and we anticipate further challenges along the way. To that, we must add the fact that the Border region had pre-existing issues before Brexit which have yet to be addressed. Ms Arthurs is absolutely right as are Deputies Smyth and Breathnach. There is a need for a high-level intervention in the cross-Border region. INTERREG, PEACE and LEADER have all been very important and we do not want to see them end. However, they have been sticking-plaster solutions on an area and issue which is huge. It needs that sustainable prosperity plan for once and for all. We did not get that after the 1998 agreement and we did not see that direct delivery after peace. We have not built on that which is why the challenges remain. While there is a need for a task force, when we ask the Governments for it, we are told, "We need to see local leadership. It has to be self-help and bottom-up." We are evidence of the fact that is happening. Our seminar later will detail the projects we are implementing. We are taking the local initiative and doing what we can. The national development plan prioritises support for the north-west and east Border areas. That is brilliant. It is good to see that happening in the Border region. However, to make a personal pitch, those of us in the central Border region note that it does not feature to the same extent in national plans. There must be a resolution to that.