Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. As I listened to them I realised the nightmare they are going through. I live in Dublin. I sometimes feel that even in Leinster House we are in a cocoon. Mr. O'Hanlon nailed it when he said that what is happening to the people in the Border regions is really sad. It is scary. Until I heard the presentations today from both groups I was not aware of the anxiety among people in the Border region. I get the impression from what the witnesses said that they feel the Border counties have been forgotten. It must be scary that businesses are anxious and constantly worried about job losses. All of this must be having a huge impact on people's lives.

Earlier, I spoke about mental health and the impact of anxiety on people. I know from my charitable work that the number of inquiries from the Monaghan, Castleblayney and Dundalk areas has increased. We have a service in Dundalk but there is a demand for our service in the Monaghan area, which seems to have arisen out of the referendum. My point is that but for the witnesses being here today talking about the fears, anxiety, stress and worry among people in the Border area, I would not have been aware of it. It is wonderful that they are unified in trying to address the issues. There is no doubt but that there is strength in unity. Ms Arthurs mentioned how the three organisations came to work together. There is no doubt that when people work together they are heard. The delegates are fighting for the people in their communities and that is important.

I do a lot of work in the mental health and addiction areas. These are areas I know a lot about and at every opportunity I raise them. The mental health of people is what I would be most concerned about. I cannot imagine what it must be like to live in a community that is anxious all of the time. I will put the same question to this group that I put to the group we met earlier. What would the delegations like the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement to do? Do they have a specific ask of us as a committee? This is a good committee. We are all very passionate about the Good Friday Agreement and the issues raised today. What do the groups need from us?