Economic dust bowl awaits after Brexit

THE Brexit shambles continues ad nauseum, rather reminiscent of a slow-motion car-crash over a cliff, and will eventually reach its inevitable no deal end-point early next year.

Why would anyone running a successful export business want to disrupt existing business links and complex supply chains established within the single market for some vague free trade agreement with the rest of the world? The market is both difficult and insignificant and will take years to arrange.

Clearly, the UK electorate were sold a complete pack of lies by the Brexit-advocating politicians and Vote Leave.

Oddly, Northern Ireland businesses have now been told (somewhat belatedly) to seek help from the Republic of Ireland, since the UK Government has no real clue about addressing this urgent matter.

It is worth noting that, since the referendum result was announced in 2016, more than 100,000 UK businesses (including my own) have already registered in Ireland to maintain access to the single market.

Over a year ago, I set up a manufacturing subsidiary near Dublin airport, with the kind assistance of a IDA support grant for my high-value medical device products (gold ECG electrodes), since 80% are exported across the EU, especially to Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, France, Italy and Spain (the remaining 20% are exported to GB). Had I not set up in Ireland, my business would very soon cease to exist.

One advantage of Northern Ireland, from a business perspective, is it is relatively easy to set up over the border in the Republic and burn the candle at both ends, so to speak. The main life science players in Northern Ireland — Almac and Randox — have plants there already. More will soon follow, leaving Northern Ireland an economic dust-bowl.

Who would want to set up a business in Northern Ireland today if it has no access to the single market? A people’s vote on the final, no deal outcome is an urgent necessity — if only your politicians could agree.

PROFESSOR DR NORBERT NESSLER

Nessler Medizin Elektronik Innsbruck, Austria