Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister will be aware, this is a big issue in my part of south Ulster and also neighbouring countries. There is a need for a clear message to be sent on what the exact situation will be should Britain leave the European Union without a deal. Thankfully, there are many people who have come back to live in Border counties, be it Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim and Louth, and also in the midlands in Deputy Troy's constituency. We have all had callers to our clinics to inquire about the status of their driving licence post 29 March. The Department needs to send a clear message on what the exact situation will be. Thankfully, since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, there has been considerable movement of people on a daily basis across the Border in both directions to access employment and education and health services. Thankfully, nowadays it is our modus operandinot to have borders but to have seamless transition. We all take entitlements such as driving licences for granted as we cross the Border on a daily basis.

I often mention to the Minister in the context of road infrastructure that I travel to and from County Fermanagh in my constituency on quite a number of occasions. If I travel from Cavan town to Clones which is less than a 25-minute drive I cross into County Fermanagh four times. When I travel to other parts of County Cavan, I also travel through CountyFermanagh. Equally, in going about their daily business people living in the three counties of Cavan, Monaghan and Fermanagh cross the Border on a daily basis in each direction. Therefore, we need clarity on the issue. A clear message needs to be sent from the Department in that respect. It would also be useful if it could be sent through the local media.

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