Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome both MEPs. This is a vital move to fight the apathy on this island relating to Europe and how we work with it. I will take up some of the remarks already made, particularly relating to agriculture, Brexit and the Border. I am a Border representative and republican at heart and we all know the difficulties we have seen with Brexit. There are counties affected including that of the Leas-Chathaoirleach, my county and right down to Louth, from which Senator McGreehan hails. The gap where we see these Border counties, not just on our side but on the other, still exists. There was once a Border, midlands and west region but what can be done at a European level now to bridge the gap? The Six Counties no longer has representation so what can we do collectively to try to take up that role in representing the people? I have more questions but we can see if there is time at the end.