Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are here to discuss how we can improve the situation, which is not a reflection on the great work that the three organisations are doing. As I said at the earlier session, one could close one's eyes and listen to either group, or even people of different persuasions North or South; if one did not know their names and where they came from their problems are exactly the same.

To respond to Mr. Hatch's question, I agree that there is need for a co-ordinated strategy, accepting that the east Border group is working on one with the 11 managers. Someone at intergovernmental level needs to listen and recognise that as Mr. O'Hanlon and others have noted, in the vacuum that is there, and regardless of what happens, whether there is a soft Brexit or no Brexit, there needs to be an impetus for the region which needs reinvestment. The peace is fragile - that is not a throwaway phrase - and the area needs economic injection collaboratively and collectively. There was a clear message from the previous session that there is a need to identify the strengths of the different areas and work as a unit in relation to the various funding streams, regardless of Brexit. As Mr. Molloy noted, the Special EU Programmes Body, SEUPB, was before the committee over 12 months ago. It said there were opportunities for other programmes that were trans-territorial that may not necessarily involve parties' membership of the EU. We will have to wait and see about that. However, there is a real need for joined-up thinking, although I hate that phrase, in getting Europe and others to recognise the need for investment.