Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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I apologise for arriving late. My colleagues and I were caught with Seanad duties earlier on. This is a really interesting debate and the questions so far have sparked many thoughts and questions in my own head. One of the things that struck me initially was around the urban-rural companies. Even looking at the map the witnesses have provided, it seems that InterTradeIreland has a greater rural spread than the other agencies which support business. Given the implications of Brexit, is there any urban-rural divide such that rural companies appear to be less prepared or better prepared? Will it have a greater impact on them because they are based in rural areas of Mayo, Fermanagh or wherever else?

Another sector of which I have experience is the audio-visual sector. There has been a great deal of North-South co-operation, in particular with the work that has been done through TG4 and both film funds North and South and because we are almost branding ourselves as an audio-visual island where it is good to come to make feature films or TV series. Does InterTradeIreland support many small audio-visual companies or other companies in that sphere? If so, are there particular implications for them? Obviously, there are different regulations, rules and guidelines from a broadcasting perspective which can be complicated to navigate, especially with the platforms changing. It is not just terrestrial television anymore. People are on satellite platforms and everything is merging into new media, online and smart phones. Will it be much more complicated for companies to navigate all of that where one partner company is in the EU and one is outside?

It is shocking to see that 98% of companies almost appear to have their heads in the sand as regards Brexit even at this late stage. There is almost a sense that they are hoping it will not happen. It is stark when figures like that are mentioned.

Another sector that strikes me is fish food. I have certain connections with the fishing industry and an interest in the sector as I come from a coastal community. There is obviously huge potential in the area of processing and marketing our fish which can be done on an all-island basis. Are there implications in that regard? Fishermen are concerned about quota changes and access to the raw material before one even talks about the added value.

Is there any difference in the level of preparation among companies in the North as compared to the South? Are the companies in the Six Counties more aware of the implications of Brexit than those in the Twenty-six Counties orvice versa? I might come back with a few more questions afterwards.