Dáil debates
Tuesday, 2 May 2017
European Council Meeting: Statements
5:10 pm
Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source
I have a couple of points before he goes. I know Brexit has many different implications for the State. There are obviously many different concerns for Ireland. I know the nature of the Border is a huge factor. Exports to Britain are a huge factor. It changes things with regard to Ireland's relationship with Europe because we are so strongly linked to the UK.
There is an effort to attract companies from London to Ireland. That is not easily done. I am sure many will head for Frankfurt and Paris, but there is potential for Ireland to attract people. There is a need for long-term thinking on it. We need some serious infrastructure investment to attract more of them. The housing issue is a big player. It would be difficult to house a serious number of people moving from a city like London to Ireland if we managed to attract them. I am sure that they will not all move in the next year or two or three. People could be moving in the next ten years.
Another important factor that we discussed before the break is that Ireland is a strongly developed economy in the western world, and we should be seen to do business properly here. The commission of investigation into NAMA is important in this area. We cannot be perceived as being some sort of banana republic with regard to business. It is important that we insist on things being done well in how we do big business. I do not know what the timeline is for the commission of investigation into NAMA. Is it being discussed this evening? I do not know. The Taoiseach might let me know.
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