Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I certainly hope so. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

I represent County Tipperary, a proud but rural county. We have issues right across the sectors, from beef to lamb, pork, corn, mushrooms and many other areas all of which involve exports, and dairy produce as well where Dairygold is concerned, and we have a lot of foreign direct investment as well. We want to protect it for all of the country's sake. I want to see tangible proof that we are stepping up to the plate and that we are engaging robustly with a Europe where we have been the good boys of the class.

We have been an exceptionally proud and engaging member state and now the belief in a many circles - the latest today from Dairygold and other co-ops - is that we are not robust enough in our battle to ensure that we will not be fatally wounded rather than damaged in our export markets, especially on the Border issue. We cannot see a hard Border across the Six Counties at the crossings we are used to, in Aughnacloy, in South Armagh and all the places, such as Pettigo. We must maintain our trade and no barriers. We were delighted to get rid of them because they caused considerable problems, including smuggling.

The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, and I hope it is.

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