Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

An economic research body based in Germany has forecast in its latest publication that Ireland could lose over 35,000 jobs in companies directly or indirectly involved with exporting to the UK in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The majority of these jobs are in rural areas. They have been badly affected as it is, without being hurt any further.

The part of the country that I come from and represent has Munster Joinery, Liebherr Container Cranes and Fexco, all of which export to and deal with the UK day in and day out. They provide thousands of jobs and if they were to be hurt or closed down, or to reduce their number of jobs, that would affect our local economy in a desperate way.

Farmers and those who own SMEs are very worried at the present time because, as we know, the greater part of their work and products is being exported to the UK. They need serious help. Wonderful people work in London and elsewhere in the UK, such as Dan Tim O'Sullivan who is from the heart of south Kerry and employs over 2,500 people. Mike Jack Cronin, who is from Killarney, employs people in Killarney and London. We are very proud of him and his venture with Thermohouse insulated homes. He is making headway and has been making progress in the UK. If there is a hard Brexit, we hope it will not affect these honest and hard-working people.

We are importing and exporting. Like Deputy Collins, I am very worried about the fishermen and the prospect of England taking back some of her waters. This could greatly reduce the ability of our fishermen to eke a living out of the sea. They need financial support right away.

We need to invest in our ports and ferries. We are very worried about the land bridge to Europe. We must have our own facilities, mechanisms and ways to get to mainland Europe. We are a small island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The Government needs to realise that and deal with it. If we have to buy ferries and upgrade our ports, that is what we have to do. We have to ensure that our farmers and business people are not compromised.

In regard to the North of Ireland, we greatly respect our interaction with it. It is part of our country. Only a ditch separates North and South and trade is going on up and down the country. We hope this is not interrupted or interfered with in any way because it would have a devastating effect on local work and business.

I appeal to the Government to ensure that tariffs and customs regulations are dealt with expeditiously. Why are we leaving everything to the last day? There is too much left to do and the Government has lost a lot of time. I know the coronavirus is taking up a lot of time, but we have to delegate and make sure that these matters are properly and expeditiously dealt with.

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