Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the commentary we have seen so far on the Border issue, especially from Prime Minister May and domestically about not having a return to the borders of the past, it does not count for a lot. If one drills down, nobody is clear on what they are talking about. As I have outlined previously to the Minister, 7.5% of workers in Donegal actually work in Northern Ireland.

6 o’clock

They have very real concerns about the post-Brexit scenario.

I have no doubt things will move very fast from now on, with the legislation having been passed last night in Westminster. The Government must make every effort to identify what the situation is likely to be in terms of cross-Border workings and put in place the resources to deal with that. Will the Minister undertake to consult strongly with the organisations that are already doing work in the area? Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council, for example, have done a great deal of preparatory work and investigation regarding the impact of Brexit. We need a clear plan of action on which we can work in co-operation with our European and British counterparts to ensure that the agreement that emerges is suitable. I emphasise the importance of achieving a particular designation for Northern Ireland within the Brexit context, working with the State on the basis of an all-island economy. We must ensure counties like Donegal do not suffer as much as is likely if a hard Brexit takes place.

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