Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I live in a Border county. My constituency stretches from Belturbet in County Cavan right around to Pettigo in County Donegal and it takes up almost a third of the Border. It is ironic that today, Mrs. Theresa Villiers, MP, is introducing a Bill in the House of Commons to prevent live imports from outside the UK after Brexit. If a person from County Leitrim or County Cavan bought a couple of sheep in Fermanagh, they would not be able to bring them back across the Border. Trade that has gone on for centuries will be halted in these circumstances. It is a reflection of the concern that all of us have about where the Tory Government is in regard to all of this issue. On the one hand, they talk the talk but, on the other, the reality is that most people who live in Border areas are very fearful that there is going to be a border. We often hear about soft borders. We do not care if it is soft or hard; we do not want a border. That is the result we need.

As my colleague has said, we have been forthcoming with assistance to the Minister and the Government in every way possible so that we can get solutions. We need to get a response. We need to understand what is happening, and we expect to get decent communication. In this instance particularly, there needs to be a clear communication from the Irish Government to Mrs. Theresa Villiers, MP, and the Tory party that it is totally outrageous for her to suggest a ban on the export of live animals on the island of Ireland, which would be the outcome.

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