Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Mr. McGrane, Mr. Lynam and Mr. Molloy are all very welcome. I found their presentation to be informative and positive.

At the outset, I was heartened to hear Mr. McGrane make the point about business between ourselves and the United Kingdom, that there is potential for that to flourish. In the part of the world from where I come, there is a perception that business with the UK is no basically no more, that it is too cumbersome and difficult and that businesses should be looking elsewhere, to mainland Europe, for new markets at the expense of the existing UK ones. It seems that businesses have a job to do in order to kill the perception that is out there, as far as I am concerned, to the effect that the UK is off the agenda. To my mind that would be very disappointing because, as he noted, we have built up contacts through the years and have so much in common.

Is there is a plan or should the Government have a plan? Do businesses need more information about how business with the UK can grow further, never mind retaining what we have? Senator McDowell also mentioned the N2-A5 and as someone who comes from that neck of the woods, I can confirm that we would dearly like to see that project advanced.

In addition to that, for the central Border counties, that is, for the likes of Monaghan, Cavan, across to Sligo and that region of the North, there is a need for development of road infrastructure because it is out on a limb there at present. As someone who comes from north Donegal originally, I can certainly testify for the need for a proper road linkage from Letterkenny, right through to the capital city. I can also see from living in Monaghan, and I am sure my colleague, Senator Joe O’Reilly, would agree with me, that there is a need to develop that central Border region as well. There is a big hinterland there that is very poorly serviced at the moment with road infrastructure.

Can Mr. McGrane state how aware, from a business perspective, are businesses located along the Border of the full potential that exists for them at present? Does he see their position in a positive light, or does he see their geographic location, basically Northern Ireland, as a negative one? If it is a positive one, how can we develop those businesses further along the Border region? In his view, what potential exists there to develop?

After listening to both witnesses this afternoon – and I am not patronising them by saying this – nobody is better placed than these gentlemen to advise policymakers on where we are now and what needs to be done going forward. Mr. McGrane made two or three proposals in his presentation. What kind of hearing is he getting at Government level for the practical solutions such as, for example, the one-stop shop, which seems to my mind to make perfect sense? Are agencies listening to that? Does he feel that more pressure needs to be applied in that regard? The old saying goes that "sometimes you have to walk to walk to talk the talk". These gentleman are walking the walk each day of the week. They are perfectly placed to advise policymakers. I would like to think that we are not pushing a bus up a hill, so to speak, when it comes to that.

I would welcome their comments in that regard and I thank them for their contributions so far.