Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Two weeks ago the Joint Committee on European Affairs launched a report, UK-EU future relationship: Implications for Ireland, which specifically looked at the implications for Ireland of Britain leaving the EU. At the time, this launch was mentioned in the House but I want to know when we might have a debate in the House and bring in the relevant Minister to discuss the report. I raise this issue particularly in regard to the cross-Border effects and the implications for the Border region, in particular the economy and local communities. If Britain were to leave the EU, it would significantly change the Border area and we were warned during the committee deliberations of the effects it could have. It would transform the Border into a major international frontier which would be manned by passport checkpoints and customs controls. It is important that we discuss this, not just for those reasons, but because of the implications it could have for the Good Friday Agreement and some of the cross-Border institutions that rest upon that. We all know there are many issues in the North at the minute and the institutions are already under threat. We do not want any further stunting of the progress that has been made in recent years. One issue that is pertinent when talking about the Border is that of funding. The Border region has benefited hugely from EU funding and the agriculture industry has benefited from an all-Ireland approach. There would be significant implications for these areas.

I ask the Leader when we will have a discussion on this important matter. I want to ask the Minister what role the Government is playing currently to ensure the country is bolstered against trade, immigration and financial fallout in regard to a potential exit.