Dundalk chamber meet with EU chief negotiator Barnier
Dundalk Chamber met with the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier at the All Island Civic Forum in DKIT, the Argus has learned.
Chamber spokesman Paddy Malone told the Argus that Mr. Barnier ‘spelt out clearly that he had hoped that Brexit would not happen.’
‘However now that it had his responsibility was to the EU and its member states who remained. He also wished to have close ties with the UK and that in no way was it his or the EU intention to punish the UK for leaving.’
Mr. Barnier also emphasised that he was ‘determined that a solution to the Irish border would remain one of his three key objectives, the others being the settlement figure and the third being new relations with the UK.’
Paddy Malone was also the Chamber representative at a meeting with Mr Barnier at the InterTrade office in Newry later that day.
‘Mr Barnier made it clear that the back stop would mean Northern Ireland remaining in the Single Market.’
At the meeting, services including hospitality and consulting to goods and transport organisations stressed that their preference was to remain in the Single Market.
They raised concerns about EU citizens’ right to remain or bring their families to Northern Ireland. They raised concern over access to Erasmus and Science funding. The companies stressed that they were heavily involved in exporting both to the Republic and other member states. They also raised the issue of Interreg and Peace IV funding.
Mr Barnier made it clear that he understood the position of those businesses and sympathised with them. However he added it ‘up to the UK Government to protect their citizens’ future.’
Paddy Malone raised the issue of access / delay time for both commuters and hauliers crossing the border or travelling via Britain to the continent.
He also expressed concern over the position for DKIT both in respect of research funding and student access from Northern Ireland.