BORDER LOBBY GROUP MEET WITH TAOISEACH
WITH just weeks left for a Brexit deal to be struck between the EU and the UK, the local lobby group Border Communities Against Brexit (BCAB) secured a meeting with An Taoiseach, Michael Martin to raise the concerns of people living and working in the border area.
The virtual meeting saw BCAB members highlight the issues which impact on the border counties.
A spokesman told the Argus: ‘It was a wide ranging meeting discussing the current Brexit talks, trade agreements, the Shared Island initiative, effects upon EU Citizens, and issues affecting people working and living in Border Communities accessing financial services.’
He added that the group wanted to ‘publicly thank An Taoiseach’ for the meeting. ‘ This engagement at this crucial time in the Brexit negotiations is very important for people living in Border communities to express to the head of Government in Ireland how deeply concerned we are at this time.’
‘ The current mood of the negotiations is quite negative, however, the EU under Michel Barnier’s leadership will continue to engage in talks with the UK to the last moment to get a deal.
The spokesman said: ‘ A deal is vital for Ireland but no more so for those of
us living in Border Communities.’
‘We also welcomed the Shared Ireland initiative as a way to bring our Island together, with greater connectivity and investment to create jobs and support emerging technology, and cross border tourism ventures.’
He added that BCAB are intending to keep in close contact with the Taoiseach’s office in the coming weeks
and months to ensure that the concerns of border communities are kept on the government’s agenda.
Any trade deal reached between the EU and Britain is likely to have the greatest impact on businesses which rely on cross border trade.
Intertrade Ireland, the body representing small and medium enterprises (SME’s) have this week sounded warnings that hopes of a smooth transition after Brexit have been jeopardised by ‘ the calamitous impact of Covid-19 on economy..’ They also highlighted how just 18 per cent of firms are reporting that they are prepared for the end of the
UK transition period.
‘ The trading relationship between the UK and the EU is set to change on January 1st 2021. While recognising the existential crisis faced by many businesses, doing nothing is not an option,’ said Intertrade’s Designated Officer, Aidan Gough
‘ There is still time to take action and InterTradeIreland has launched a new campaign as businesses face two major challenges in the space of a few months, offering cross-border trading supports to help them manage, survive and hopefully thrive.’