Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the importance of County Wexford to the Deputy given that he represents its people in Dáil Éireann. However, I caution against any move to have County Wexford included as a border county. It is essential we continue to advocate strongly on the matter of the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland with particular reference to the Border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Any dilution of that message with specific reference to the Good Friday Agreement and North-South relations would not be the most helpful.

Having said that, I recognise that in the context of the ultimate withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, County Wexford with its port in Rosslare will be pivotal having regard not only to the cross-channel engagement but also the port of Rosslare linking directly to the rest of the European Union through France.

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