Brexit still a looming threat for border area
AS Louth and the border counties begin the recovery from the COVID-19 lockdown, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce have warned that the impact of Brexit is likely to remain for decades.
‘Brexit, a name not in our vocabulary 6 years ago will touch every one of us for several decades. Despite the obvious immediate crisis of COVID this is one problem that has not (and will not) go away,’ said Paddy Malone, Chamber spokesman.
He remarked that last week marked four years since the dramatic vote that would take the UK out of the European Union, and immediately put the border front and centre of news headlines.
‘I remember driving to Newry at 4am to do an interview with BBC World Service and Newry Chamber. It was to be the first of many that day, mostly to overseas newspapers. I had to quickly identify the themes that were important for Dundalk and then the island. What would it mean for travel, including sport? Would there be customs? Could people work in the other jurisdiction? What about all the cross border cooperation and EU funded schemes?’
He added: ‘ The sad thing is that four years on none of those questions has a definitive answer. Business has to plan for several scenarios, all of which are more challenging than the existing position.’
The Chamber spokesman said the Government has ‘done good work preparing business for Brexit, and the EU has shown remarkable solidarity with us.’
‘Intertade, the All Island Trade organisation, is determined to ensure that the significant growth in business between north and south in the 20 years since its creation will not be lost. It has highlighted the need for SME to address the issues and to seek support. This is available in the form of cash grants, mentoring and networking.’
He added that the LEO office in Dundalk has worked closely with Drogheda
Dundalk and Newry Chambers with its own supports using the Chamber network to reach the business sector.
But he warned: ‘ There is no person living in this region that will not be affected, most though not all, negatively. That is why we watch UK news with a sense of shock and dismay.’
The year, he added, is perhaps more vital in determining how Brexit will really impact the border, as efforts to hammer out a trade deal before the end of 2020 continue.
‘Most businesses have now examined both their supply chain (back at least to the manufacturer and not just to the distributor) and also their customer. Questions such as delivery schedules, paperwork, tariffs have now all been addressed in part. But if there is no breakthrough with the UK by the autumn then business, but particularly the SME sector will have to complete their Brexit plans. Many had stopped planning when the immediate threat of a crash out was lifted last year.’
He added that cross border industries such as tourism and agriculture will have to rethink their long term strategies.
‘ The reality is a poorer Northern Ireland and Great Britain will make us poorer. The last 20 years has seen a remarkable change in both Dundalk and Newry, a win win which could now be lost.’
Paddy added: ‘ This has led to uncertainty which has made planning difficult. Our SME sector now has to address issues such as Customs (taking people out of retirement), logistics (refrigerated artics are expensive to have sitting idle at ports waiting for clearance) quotas, standards, greater currency fluctuations and much more.’
But, said the Chamber spokesman, some positives have emerged from the four year saga.
‘UK Businesses have set up operations in this region, the area has attracted favourable publicity, and the M1 corridor was and is favourably being received by those who make the decisions.’
DUNDALK gardai seized €2,000 worth of suspected cannabis herb, after a car was stopped and searched a car in Cox’s Demesne last week.
During the search they discovered more than €2,000 of cannabis herb along with €500 cash, a digital scales and a number of mobile phones (pictured above).
Two men, aged in their 20’s, were arrested and detained at Dundalk Garda Station. They were later released and a file is being prepared for the DPP.
Meanwhile, Gardaí in Dundalk have seized over €50,000 worth of drugs and counterfeit clothing. In separate incidents €44,500 worth of clothing and a combined €5,600 worth of cocaine and cannabis were found. Items seized included men and women’s clothing, shoes, runners, handbags, watches and sunglasses.
€2,100 of suspected cocaine and €3,500 worth of cannabis plants and herb were also seized in a separate incident.