Come here to see of the Brit exit

that our relationship with the UK and Northern Ireland continues to our mutual benefit.

‘ The new arrangements that will follow a formal British exit will be very different but must be made work to minimise the impact on our country and the border counties in particular.

‘We welcome the Taoiseach’s clarity round Ireland’s future participation in the Union and agree that ‘reflection and debate’ are essential. But without reform and a new covenant between the people of the Union and its institutions we risk further disintegration’.

On matters affecting Dundalk and North Louth, Cllr Dearey said: ‘Counties like Louth will be at the sharp end of this result. There is an immediate need for clarity from government on the contingencies to deal with the difficulties that will arise for cross border workers, for the community and voluntary sector which has matured with a significant cross border dimension, for local and national trading arrangements and for shared responsibilities in river basin management, certain health services, the single energy market and of course the Good Friday institutions.

‘More extreme currency fluctuations are likely and are very damaging to trade and investment and at a time when border towns are beginning to attract innovative investor interest. It is imperative that the Department of Enterprise and the Department of Finance work to counter such impacts however they can.

‘As Chair of the Dundalk Municipal Council I will invite An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, to the area to discuss these matters’.

And the Department of Health has moved to reassure people living in the border area that there will be no immediate change to arrangements following the British decision.

In a statement to the Argus, the department said: ‘It is important to be clear that the UK has not yet left the EU. Until it formally withdraws, the UK remains a full member, with all of its existing rights and obligations.

‘We would like to assure people that there will be no immediate changes in the area of health as a consequence of the UK’s decision. Cross-border services and health co-operation will not be affected in the immediate term. Arrangements are in place, building on an already completed initial risk assessment plan, to consider any longer-term implications.

Ensuring minimum disruption in health and that essential services are maintained will be our key priority’.