Brexit impact just beginning

A working group on the impact of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union was proposed by members of the Dundalk Municipal committee at their July meeting.

Standing orders were suspended at the meeting as each member put forward their views on how the ‘Brexit’ would affect Dundalk and the border area.

Cllr. John McGahon said he was ‘incredibly disappointed’ at Britain’s decision to leave the EU.

‘In relation to Dundalk and how Ireland will deal with this decision. This town has faced bad news before, particularly during the troubles, however at every single time we have stood up to the challenge and the people of Dundalk have overcome every obstacle that has been put in our way and we will be no different on this occasion.

‘I would urge everyone from this town to resist the temptation to go north, keep your money in our town, support local business and we will weather the storm together.’

Cllr. Maria Doyle called on Louth County Council to ‘cease and desist’ awarding contracts to firms based in Northern Ireland due to the need to comply with EU legislation.

Having written to the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Eoghan Murphy in relation to the awarding of public contracts to UK (including Northern Ireland) based contractors, Cllr, Doyle argued that contracts ‘expected to run beyond 2018 when the UK are expected to officially exit the EU’ should not be awarded.

She told the meeting that the UK’s decision to leave the EU would have far reaching consequences.

‘We must now begin to plan for our future and protect our economic interests.’

Cllr. Doyle highlighted that she ‘sincerely hoped’ to see the common travel area between the north and south remain unchanged.

However in response to the calls on the awarding of contracts, Cllr. Thomas Sharkey hit out at the ‘ protectionsm that is being proposed.’

‘It is now just two weeks after the vote, and it is very important that we keep clear, level heads.’

He said there was ‘nothing more daft’ than proposals to block firms based in the north from contracts south of the border.

‘Having an open economy is very important. This type of protectionism won’t work and did not work in the past.’

He asked how members would feel about local businesses that supplied to schools etc in the north losing their contracts, adding that a strategy to prevent this happening ‘won’t work.’

‘I want to see farmers in Shelagh still being able to sell their produce in Crossmaglen.’

He told the meeting that it was ‘important to remember that people in the north voted to remain within the EU.’

‘Lets see this as an opportunity to strengthen the Memorandum of Understanding, and the East Border Region.’

He asked the meeting proposal from Cllr. Doyle.’

Cllr. Peter Savage said there were ‘ huge concerns’ over the awarding of cross border funding, which Dundalk and many communities along the border had benefitted from.

‘Applying for funding now could become more complex, but applications could be made on the grounds that we are a border town.’

Cllr. Conor Keelan added: ‘ Those who advocated Brexit had no real plan. But from our own government now, what is the plan?’

He described it as ‘quite disappointing’ that a meeting of cross border ministers and agencies in Dublin Castle last week failed to show any real way forward.

‘It is of great concern to me that this side of the border will lose its tax edge if the UK bring down their corporation tax rates. We have been very successful in getting foreign direct investment firms to locate here. But we are now on the periphery of the EU, it is very disheartening going forward.’

Cllr. Marianne Butler added that she agreed with much of the sentiments and concerns raised, saying that the vote was a ‘50/50’ in terms of ‘ being both a threat and an opportunity.’

She agreed also with the concerns about awarding of contracts once Britain has left the EU.

‘We have to follow EU law in relation to tenders and contracts, so this is going to arise.’

‘But the reality is that people are working on both sides of the border, accessing healthcare and going to school on both sides of the border, as well as doing business on both sides of the border, so if there is something we can do at municipal district level I think we need to do it.’

Chairman, Cllr. Mark Dearey said that the impact of Brexit would be much greater along the border.

He highlighted a number of areas which are likely to be affected, including DkIT which he described as ‘very vulnerable’ given the cross border element of a lot of its work.

He proposed that the members set up a working group that will meet over the next two years, which would effectively be a sub-committee that could advise Louth County Council.

‘ This committee is thirteen members who span the entire border area, so I think it is only right that the focus of response comes from us,’ said Cllr. Dearey.

Director of Service,Frank Pentony said that he would seek clarification on whether an advisory group could act in an advisory capacity to the local authority. ‘not to support the