Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. O'Hanlon. I will make a couple of comments to conclude. Having heard representations from two groups and having met representatives of the north-west region on the ground, it is important for the day that is in it to pay tribute to all of the committees working along the Border. Reference was made to the local authorities, the various committees and their executives, particularly the elected representatives from both sides who sit on them. Equally I note the communities that have benefitted from them. There have been many such communities over many years. I commend all those groups for their work.

On a personal basis, as someone who has lived along the Border and who, like the witnesses, is passionate about the issues, the full and frank discussions with them and the previous group speak for themselves. We could be negative but we have to be positive and ask what solutions can be found. This committee looks forward to working with them. We have heard what they have said. The secretariat has taken note of what has been said and, hopefully, we can find solutions to work together. Reference was made to the importance of getting the Executive up and running. Co-operation, both North-South and east-west, is the order of the day in our efforts to move and progress.

Without any further ado I want to particularly thank Alderman Hatch, Councillor P.J. O'Hanlon and Ms Arthurs. It would be remiss if I did not make reference to Ms Dette Hughes, Councillors Keoghan and Andrews from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Hopefully, we can have further interaction with them. This will not be the end of the discussion. Our next visit will be to the ICBAN area. It is in the planning stages, but we intend to undertake a visit to the region that would take a day or perhaps a little more, visiting projects and talking to communities. This will, hopefully, lend weight to what the witnesses have said.

On behalf of the committee, I thank the witnesses for providing that briefing. In adjourning the meeting, we are looking forward to having the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, here at our next meeting. We will meet again on 21 February, when the Tánaiste will hear not just our views but also those that have been expressed here. We will raise the concerns on Brexit and, equally important, the Border region's need for new and enhanced PEACE programmes and INTERREG initiatives to be put in place. We also recognise that an economic zone needs to be catered to, including my own constituency, from Carlingford Lough to Lough Foyle and beyond. I thank the witnesses for their attendance.