Ms Michelle Gildernew:

I thank Mr. McDonnell for his contribution thus far, which has been interesting. As a Border dweller, I certainly know how difficult the Border has been. I have known people in Tyrone who have never been to County Monaghan and I have known people in Monaghan who have never been to County Tyrone so the Border has certainly very much affected lives. Brexit has been another enormous game changer in a number of ways relating to all-Ireland trade and we have seen the figures that show that. We must recognise the new trading relationship between Britain and the EU has definitely presented challenges to businesses operating on both sides of the Border. I would have seen this in particular in agrifood. The current arrangement is certainly very difficult for that sector.

We have seen reports that goods imports from the North to the South rose 10%, which is almost €820 million, in the first two months and exports from the South rose 1% to €750 million in the same period. What has been the experience of ISME's members in terms of operating on an all-Ireland basis? Is this a trend? Are we likely to see it continue or will it slow as trade regularises over the next period? How do ISME's members feel about the challenges they face?