Ms Michelle Gildernew:

I thank Mr. Robinson and Mr. Campbell for their concise presentation. The witnesses are welcome and I am delighted to see them all here today.

Having grown up beside the Border between Aughnacloy and Culloden, I know all too well the challenges that have faced the region. It is worth remembering that when many of the Border roads were closed in the early 1970s, the final two Border roads to be reinstated were only reopened in 2010. This was a long time after the Good Friday Agreement and only a few years before the imminent Brexit. We do not know what the future is likely to hold for the region.

Mr. Campbell's presentation touched on a lot of the issues that are close to my heart such as rural roads, broadband, the greenways and the Ulster Canal. There is a lot in there. If we were able to bring about all of the things that Shane talked about then we would have a very dynamic region.

I am aware that this is outside of the witnesses' remit but I want to put it on the record today. We have a unique and special facility in the stroke unit in the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen. We have one of the best stroke units on these islands. Stroke patients are often treated with lysis therapy within ten minutes of coming into the hospital. Despite all the challenges in the region, we still can be world leaders in what we do.

The Border has Newry at one end and Derry at the other end. Our bit is the big section in the middle. Given the lack of infrastructure how does Mr. Campbell see the reality of Brexit affecting us in the future, and in the Border network trying to hold on to what it has achieved over the years to ensure we do not roll back from that?