Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Certainly, it is fine that expenditure has been increased by 3%, but have we the right personnel in these Departments with the experience - although it is difficult to have experience of this - with the vision, with the stamina and with the capacity for robust engagement with our European colleagues? Today, reports from the head of Dairygold suggest that, unless the EU plans to combat customs tariffs at the Border, rural Ireland will be devastated. We make similar statements about post offices and in many areas, and it is so, but this will be a further blow. A hard Border at the North crossing points cannot happen.

The European banking sector is in deep need of reform. That has not happened. Is the ECB still clinging onto the old model that has failed? I am concerned that we may not have the right personnel with the vision and the enthusiasm to fight hard enough to ensure that we are not severely affected.

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