Fitzpatrick raises Brexit concerns with Taoiseach
‘Coming from a border town, Dundalk, I know the devastating effects that Brexit will have if we do not put in place the necessary measures to deal with it., stated Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick in a question to Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Dáil which is currently sitting in the National Convention Centre.
‘ There are many unanswered questions and a lack of information available to businesses. Will there be a hard border? Will there be customs checks on the Border? What will be the situation with tariffs? How will workers travel from Dundalk to the North and vice versa? Will people be stopped at the Border? Will driving licences and car insurance still be valid in both jurisdictions? People in Border areas are concerned. What preparation have the Taoiseach and his Government made to help combat this? There will be a hard border. Responding Taoisaeach Micheál Martin stated, ‘All efforts will be made to avoid a no-deal Brexit.
‘ The situation with negotiations between the European Union and British Government is difficult. I spoke to the British Prime Minister and we both agreed that there was a need to comprehensively deal with the issue in a way that would involve a comprehensive free trade agreement and would be of benefit to Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and that it was not desirable to have a poor Brexit or a nodeal Brexit.
‘We also emphasised the need to implement the protocol as it pertains to Northern Ireland, and for what has been agreed to date to be adhered to in any subsequent agreement and in the operation of any post-Brexit scenario. The Government will prepare for a number of scenarios, including a no-deal Brexit. We will work with all the stakeholders and companies in that regard to ensure that people are properly prepared at all levels’