Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Coming from a Border county, I know the devastating effects that Brexit will have if we do not put in place the necessary measures to deal with it. There are still so many unanswered questions. I am deeply concerned that its effects could be disastrous on a Border town like Dundalk. Last week, I raised the different approaches to deal with Covid-19 on both sides of the Border and the devastating effects of that. The Border area now has the highest number of recorded cases of Covid-19. I hope this is not a sign of things to come, where different approaches to situations are taken on both sides of the Border with those living in Border regions suffering most. That is not acceptable. I am very worried about the lack of clarity on many issues. The UK Government has shown an arrogance in its approach to this, such as its recent refusal of an EU office in Belfast. What does this say about Britain's approach to negotiations? I am also worried at the lack of information available to businesses. Border businesses regularly tell me that they do not know what is really happening. Among the questions they ask me are whether there will be a hard border or a customs check at the Border, and what will be the situation with tariffs. How will cross-border workers be treated? How will standards be implemented? Will cross-Border agencies still exist? The list is endless.

People on the ground still have no clue what will happen once Brexit happens, particularly in the event of no deal. We still do not have a roadmap for businesses in the event of a no-deal Brexit. We are constantly told that there will be no hard border and no issues for cross-Border workers and that there will be no customs checks at the Border. How can the Tánaiste insist this is the case when there is no real roadmap? The Government's UK counterparts are not of the same opinion. Their arrogance is undoubtedly a matter of negotiation tactics but I deal with people and businesses on the ground who cannot afford to play these political games. The people of Border counties such as Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim and Donegal need to get real answers now so that they can prepare properly for Brexit. The Government has told businesses that "when the transition period ends, Brexit is likely to affect how you do business" and advises businesses to review supply chains, understand the new rules for importing and exporting to Britain, and review all regulation, licensing and certification requirements. That is just stating the obvious. Businesses know they have to do this; what they need is facts. They are still in the dark about how things will operate in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The important thing is that a real roadmap for Brexit is implemented.

Brexit, despite our not voting for it, is happening. We must prepare for the worst-case scenario, that is, a no-deal Brexit. We must not be used as pawns in the negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom. We must give a clear commitment that Ireland is protected in all negotiations between the EU and the UK. We have seen how the backstop was dropped despite being told that it would protect those of us on the island of Ireland. We cannot be weak on this. I urge the Tánaiste to protect Ireland's interests at all times.

As we all know, the UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020. The withdrawal agreement allows a transition period until 31 December 2020. The UK has said it will not extend the transition period beyond this period. In the event of a no-deal Brexit, will there be a hard border on the island of Ireland? What will the hard border be like? Will all goods be checked at the Border? What plans has the Government made in the event of a hard border in respect of customs checks? These are real questions that those operating businesses along the Border in towns like Dundalk have put to me. They need clarity on this rather than vague replies. It is important that they are given real answers. I call on the Tánaiste to be specific in his answers. If it is the case that the Tánaiste does not have the answers, then he should state as much. It is better for businesses to know where they stand so they can then put a plan in place.

Another concern for those along the Border is the treatment of cross-border workers. Can the Tánaiste set out what plans are in place for the treatment of cross-border workers in the event of a no-deal Brexit? How will workers travelling from Dundalk to the North be affected in the event of a no-deal Brexit? Likewise, how will workers from the North be affected? Again, I am being asked these questions. People are concerned that they will be stopped at the Border, that commuting times will be extended and that their daily lives will be interrupted. Will a driving licence still be valid in both jurisdictions? Will car insurance still be valid in both jurisdictions? Clarity on these issues is needed. Can the Tánaiste confirm what arrangements are being made for students in the event of a no-deal Brexit?

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