Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 10 May 2017

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Development and Co-operation in Border Counties: Discussion (Resumed)

2:10 pm

Mr. Aidan Gough:

Yes, it was carried out across the whole island. In response to the survey, we went out on what was, to all intents and purposes, a roadshow. We spoke at probably 50 events in the past three or four months to try to get businesses to start planning, acting and engaging with the process. They have a window of opportunity to prepare in the period before a deal emerges. We discussed with business, first and foremost, the things they know. Northern Ireland companies in particular avail of the four freedoms that make up the Single Market. A good starting point for all businesses is to ask what would be the effect if they could no longer avail of the four freedoms or if some of their customers or suppliers were not working to the same regulatory or customs union environment. That is the starting point.