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

Some months ago during Taoiseach's questions, I welcomed the initiative of the shared island unit in the Department of the Taoiseach in having NESC undertake work on its behalf, in the context of the economy and regional development. I hope the Taoiseach can take on board what I suggested at the time, in the context of discussions he said would be taking place in March between the shared island unit and NESC, that a particular work project should be undertaken on the specific challenges faced by the Border region, especially the central Border area of Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh, Armagh and Tyrone.

As the Taoiseach knows, that region is very dependent on the agrifood, engineering and construction product sectors. Our key market is Britain. All of the issues with regard to Brexit and the protocol are not yet resolved. We sincerely hope they will be but any disruption to trade has a major impact on businesses in our region, both North and South of the Border.

NESC should devote a particular part of its work to the challenges facing that central Border area because as we all know, the more highly-developed and concentrated areas such as the east coast, Dublin-Belfast axis will weather economic storms. Our region is not as well prepared or well resourced to weather economic storms that can arise through international turbulence or through turbulence between the European Union and Britain. It is very important that we prepare for any eventualities that might impact on the economy in that region, both North and South.

See this speech in context