Fearsovercross borderemergency

COUNCILLORS on both sides of the border raised concern about of cross border emergency co-operation post Brexit at a recent meeting of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) committee.

The Cross Border Fire and Ambulance Services gave a presentation to Councillors and members of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) this week. Councillors from Louth, Armagh and Down expressed concern that the current Memorandum of Understanding between Louth County Council Fire and Rescue and NI Fire that has been in place since 2012 would be in jeopardy post Brexit.

Cllr. Antóin Watters had raised the issue a few weeks ago following an accident on the main A1 dual carriageway just north of Dundalk when Louth County Council Fire and Rescue were called to assist the Newry Fire Services following a car accident.

The committee members were given a presentation from Joe Lumdsen for Louth County Council Fire and Rescue which related to Cross Border Emergency Planning. He informed the MOU members that they have been mobilised to 31 incidents on both sides of the border since the Memorandum of Understanding started in 2012.

‘Let’s face it, people from the remote part of North Louth, like Omeath and Edentubber would get an ambulance much quicker from Newry than they would from Drogheda. People in these areas need to be able to rely on these vital cross border services. There is so much uncertainty around Brexit but this is one issue that we need confirmation and clarity on.’

Louth Councillor Edel Corrigan who is joint Chair of the MOU said: “We must ensure that response times and access to both sides of the border is not affected. Brexit should not cost people’s lives and with all the uncertainty around the issue and the possibility of a hard border, we in Sinn Féin are calling on the Irish and British Governments to ensure this vital co-operation continues.’