Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy, on behalf of the committee of which I am Chairman, namely, the Joint Committee on European Affairs, and acknowledge the sterling work he has done in recent months in particular due to the challenges we face with Brexit. I thank him personally and on behalf of the committee for the manner in which he has assisted us, which has been most beneficial. He has been most diligent in his duties and he takes his role very seriously.

This is a critical time for us from the perspective of farming, tourism and trade. So much is on the line at present and we need people to be constructive. We do not have time for nonsense, political bickering or point scoring. I do not care whether a person is in opposition or in government. In my humble opinion, we are all wearing Irish jerseys and fighting to ensure we represent farming and other sectors to the best of our ability.

This morning, I had the pleasure of meeting the Belgian ambassador and two weeks ago I welcomed the British ambassador. I find such meetings very beneficial and workmanlike. The people I meet are very pleased to come to air their views and discuss their perspective on where the European model is going in the future. It is a traumatic prospect that at the end of this month the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, will trigger Article 50 and as the Minister of State well knows we will just have to get on with it.

Numerous problems will face us and I very much appreciate the work the Taoiseach has been doing in recent weeks in particular on this important issue, despite other issues that have arisen. It is of vital importance that we minimise every negative effect that will come our way because 30,000 people a day cross the Border. If one takes farming alone, millions of gallons of milk come from the North every day to be processed in the South and a vast amount of it goes back to the North again to be sold. The complications that face us are of enormous proportions. I had a meeting in the past ten days with representatives of the pig sector as there are many large pig producers in the Border counties. They are terrified of what could happen as they have made significant investments to the tune of millions in their farms. The only pig farms that remain in this country are those that have invested significantly and grown in size. I met genuine people who were steeped in the pig farming tradition for decades and they are fearful of what will happen to them in the future.

Now, more than ever, we need sound political leadership and for us all to come together to do everything we can. I compliment all of the members of the committee I have the privilege of chairing because they are most experienced and committed to putting their shoulder to the wheel and working with the Minister of State and others to ensure we do everything, to the very best of our ability, to represent the people who elected us. I am pleased to have had an opportunity to contribute to the debate today. I am sharing my time with Deputy Mattie McGrath.

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