Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

During the past six months, we have been faced with probably the greatest challenge this country has faced in our lifetime. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be the focus of our efforts.

4 o’clock

It has taken a very heavy toll in lives but also on our day-to-day lives, the economy and society. This is a battle we are winning and one I hope we will look back on and learn from.

In the midst of this, we still have to deal with Brexit which, unfortunately, has not gone away. We did not vote for it, and nor did our neighbours in Northern Ireland, but it is a most serious issue for the island of Ireland and one we must deal with. I fear the UK Government's approach makes a no-deal Brexit a certainty. I have continually warned about this but was told time and again that we had an agreement in place, the Northern Ireland protocol, which would protect us here on the island of Ireland. Sadly, I fear the UK Government will not honour the commitments it made.

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 many unanswered questions on Brexit. I am deeply concerned that its impact on a Border town like Dundalk could be potentially disastrous. I am worried about the lack of clarity on a range of issues. The UK Government has shown arrogance in its approach, for example, in relation to the Northern Ireland protocol. We might ask what this says about its general approach to these negotiations.

I am also worried about the lack of information available to businesses. I often hear from Border businesses that they still do not know what is happening. Among the questions they ask are whether there will be a hard border; if there will be a customs checks at the Border; what will happen with tariffs; how cross-Border workers will be treated; how standards will be implemented; and whether cross-Border agencies continue to exist? The list of questions is endless.

We still do not have a clue about what will happen once Brexit is implemented, particularly in the event of a no-deal Brexit. We are sleep-walking into this. We still do not have a roadmap for businesses in the event of no deal. We hear constantly there will be no hard border, no issue for cross-Border workers and no customs checks at the Border, but how can we insist this is the case when we have no roadmap in the event that there is no deal?

I have no doubt the UK Government's arrogance is a negotiation tactic but I deal with people and businesses which cannot afford to play these political games. The people of the Border counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim and Donegal need real answers now so that they can prepare properly for Brexit. The Government's advice for business is that when the transition period ends, Brexit is likely to affect how they do business. Businesses are advised to review their supply chain, understand the rules for importing from and exporting to Britain, and review all their regulations, licensing and certification requirements. This is a case of stating the obvious. Businesses know they have to do this but what they need are facts. They are still in the dark about how things will operate in the event of a no-deal Brexit. A real roadmap for a no-deal outcome must be put in place.

Notwithstanding that we did not vote for it, Brexit will happen and we must prepare for the worst-case scenario of a no-deal outcome. We must not be used as a pawn in the negotiations between the EU and the UK. We must be given a clear commitment that Ireland will be protected in all negotiations between the EU and the UK. We have seen how the backstop was dropped, despite assurances it would protect us on the island of Ireland. We cannot be weak on this. I urge the Minister to protect Ireland's interests at all times.

The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020. The withdrawal agreement has allowed a transition period up to 31 December 2020. The UK has said it will not extend this transition period. I have some specific questions. 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 for customs checks in the event of a hard border? These are the questions that businesses along the Border, in towns such as Dundalk, ask me. They need clarity not vague replies that do not give real answers. I ask the Minister to be specific. If he does not have the answers, I ask that he say so. It is better for businesses that they know where they stand and that they can then plan for it.

There is concern about how cross-Border workers will be treated. What plans are in place in the event of a no-deal Brexit? How will workers travelling from Dundalk to the North and vice versabe affected? I am asked these questions by people who are worried that they will be stopped at the Border, their commuting time will be extended and their daily lives interrupted. Will their driving licences and car insurance still be valid in both jurisdictions? We need clarity on these questions. What arrangements are been made for students in the event of a no-deal Brexit? Will students on both sides of the Border retain the rights they now enjoy? Will student supports remain the same? Will students from Northern Ireland still be treated in the same way if there is no deal? Dundalk's very successful institute of technology has a considerable number of students from Northern Ireland. How would a no-deal Brexit affect them?

Mobile phones and roaming are also a cause for concern among people living in the Border area. Will current roaming charges be maintained if there is no deal? What will happen with cross-Border healthcare in the event of a no-deal Brexit? We work very closely with our Northern counterparts in the provision of healthcare services. Will the cross-Border healthcare initiatives still be in place after Brexit? Will this continue if there is no deal?

Hauliers who travel daily to the UK are worried. They are completely in the dark and hear media reports that there will be massive queues at UK ports. We must provide complete clarity to businesses and citizens on what Brexit will bring to them.

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