Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On his recent visit to Cavan the Minister had the privilege of taking a guided tour around McCarren's where, as he is well aware, there has been significant investment. He is also aware that a third dryer was opened recently in Lakeland Dairies. The mushroom industry in the constituency has been badly affected since the announcement of Brexit, following which the Border counties will be at the coalface. They will be affected most by the possible imposition of tariffs. The possible removal of tariffs in low-cost regions such as South America will result in their being opened up to trade with the United Kingdom, which will make it extremely difficult for Irish farmers and producers to compete. In counties such as Cavan and Monaghan the imposition of controls along the Border would make it much harder, slower and more costly to move produce and products from the North to the South.

The Minister referred to Bord Bia. It estimates that €570 million in trade was lost in 2016, with exports to the United Kingdom falling by 8%. The IFA estimates that beef farmers took a hit of more than €150 million in 2016. The mushroom industry in the constituency has been devastated.

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