Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Coming from a Border county area I know too well the devastating effects a hard border would have on the region. In recent times, we have almost forgotten that a border exists as people and trade flow seamlessly both ways across the Border on a daily basis. I am also old enough to remember when this was not the case, a time when there were Border checkpoints, cross-border smuggling, daily killing and attacks. I genuinely thought we had left all of this behind us and I hope we do not go back to those dark times.

The UK's decision to leave the EU is, without doubt, going to cause great difficulties for us. It was not our decision but we will have to face the consequences. I have said many times in the House that we must be prepared for a no-deal Brexit and on each occasion I was told by the Government of the day that this would not happen. I only wish it were true. While the Bill is welcome, it does not go far enough in putting in place measures that will help and support us during a no-deal Brexit. It is too vague and lacks detail.

Speaking to members of the Government in recent days, I have been advised that talks between the EU and UK are ongoing and that the key outstanding issues remain a level playing field, governance and fisheries. I have also been told that regardless of the outcome of the talks the full implementation of the withdrawal agreement, including the Northern Ireland protocol, is vital. This is a complete understatement. The protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland was designed so it would operate regardless of whether an EU-UK future relationship is in place.

As we have seen in recent times, the UK Government has basically ignored this international agreement and is pursuing legislation through Parliament at Westminster in order to override it.

I speak with people and businesses on a daily basis. Many are located close to the Border and their businesses operate on both sides of it. As matters stand today, 11 November, they still do not have a clue as to what will happen. In seven weeks, we will have Brexit regardless of whether there is an agreement but businesses still do not know what the plans will be in the event of a no-deal Brexit. They are being told by the Government we have a withdrawal agreement that includes a protocol on Northern Ireland yet, when people read newspapers and watch television, they are being told this protocol will not be implemented by the UK Government. There is genuine worry out there in regard to Brexit. Simple questions are not being addressed. The reality is that people and businesses are a resilient bunch but they need to know what they are dealing with. We need to prepare them for the real facts. They are not afraid of the facts; what they are afraid of is the unknown. Businesses will be able to deal with a no-deal Brexit as long as they are prepared for it but in order to be prepared, they must be informed. Let us face the facts and let these businesses deal with them.

At times, it seems that we are sleepwalking into this with no real preparation. Let me give the Minister an example of some of the questions I and my consistency office are being asked daily by businesses and residents who live and work on both sides of the Border. Is there going to be a hard border on the island of Ireland? Will there be customs checks on the Border and, if so, how will they be implemented? Will cross-Border workers still be treated the same as before Brexit? Will they face daily delays travelling to and from work when crossing the Border? Will UK driving licences be valid in Ireland and, likewise, will Irish driving licences be valid in the UK? Will motor insurance policies be affected? Will the common travel area remain post Brexit? Will food standards stay as they are? How will food standards be monitored? How will cross-Border agencies operate post Brexit? Will they exist or will they be disbanded?

Will students who travel across the Border to schools and colleges be affected? Dundalk has an excellent institute of technology, known as DKIT. Many students travel from Northern Ireland to attend colleges here. Will they be affected? What about Irish students attending colleges and universities in Northern Ireland and the UK? How will they be affected? Will their qualifications remain as they are now? In regard to tariffs, businesses are still in the dark. Is it safe to assume that, should we have a no-deal Brexit, the WTO tariffs will kick in immediately? Will the cross-Border healthcare initiatives remain? In the context of security, will we still have the same cross-Border co-operation? Deputy Verona Murphy spoke about the issues affecting hauliers. I have heard the same things said as my colleagues. We are hearing the horror stories that hauliers can expect to face delays of up to ten hours once they reach the UK ports. This must not be allowed to happen.

We must find real and viable solutions in respect of these issues. We are seven weeks away from Brexit and people and businesses still do not have answers. I hope it is not too late but what is needed is a clear roadmap for a no-deal Brexit so that at least we can prepare properly. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be a roadmap. The explanatory memorandum to the Bill states:

Protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, supporting North-South cooperation and the all island economy, are key underpinnings to the Government’s approach in a number of provisions of this Bill. The North-South cooperation arrangements bring tangible benefits to the daily lives of people in the border region on the island of Ireland, and contribute to economic opportunity and development. They are also a very practical outworking of the peace process and of the Good Friday Agreement, which allows for the normalisation of relationships between people across the island, to mutual benefit.

I agree with everything in that quote. My question to the Minister is how we can protect the Good Friday agreement when the UK Government is bringing through legislation in its own Parliament that, in reality, dismantles the withdrawal agreement and the Northern Ireland protocol.

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