Brexit is still a mess of unparalleled making

THERE are understandable fears in this area that with just weeks left before Brexit that a deal to maintain an open border between the Republic and the North may not be achieved.

Those fears were highlighted recently when the local lobby Border group met the Taoiseach.

Unfortunately we all appear to be bystanders in the process of negotiations between the British and the EU, with both sides playing out their own game of poker.

At this stage it is virtually impossible to determine if there will be a deal because with the British especially there seems to be a determination to stretch out the negotiations as long as possible in the hope that they can get the concessions they want.

This all makes matters extremely difficult for firms relying on cross-border business for they do not know the problems they face come January 1st next.

Some of those firms will remember the days prior to the free trade agreement between EU countries when lorry drivers had to queue for hours on end at one of a number of customs clearance agents along the border where their documentation was processed before they could continue their journey.

At times the entire Newry Road, where most of the customs clearance agents were located, was lined with lorries, causing traffic chaos on a regular basis, as well as inconvenience to householders in the area.

It is not anticipated that there will be a return to that chaos because in the 1970’s the Newry Road was the only approved route in this area into the North for goods traffic.

The worry is that neither gov

RECENT OPINION POLLS IN BRITAIN SHOWED THAT 60% REGRET THE DECISION TO LEAVE THE EU

ernment, the Irish and British are prepared for the problems that will arise after January 1st, and this was highlighted by a Newsnight report on BBCI last Wednesday night which revealed that the so called technology solution on which the British will be relying for the quick processing of goods is not fit for purpose.

Recent opinion polls in Britain showed that 60% regret the decision to leave the EU and the vast majority feel that their government has made a mess of the entire exit strategy negotiations.

Unfortunately it is all looking like one hell of a mess with the distinct prospect that we’ll be saying to ourselves in January, ‘ how did we get into this mess’?