McDonald tells FF ard fheis of Brexit danger
BREXIT poses a serious threat to Rosslare Europort and the Wexford and national economies, Wexford councillor Lisa McDonald told the Fianna Fáil ard fheis at the RDS recently.
‘I am deeply concerned about the impact that Brexit will have on the local economy in Wexford and Irish trade,’ she said.
‘Tourism, the agri-food sector, the fishing industry and Rosslare Europort are significant sources of employment in Wexford and are critical to the economic prosperity of the county. Brexit poses a serious threat to each and every one of them.’
Cllr McDonald said that in the face of Brexit, the location of Rosslare Europort is more strategic than ever.
‘The possibility of several different customs posts being involved in crossing the UK by land to reach mainland Europe makes our exporters’ position unworkable and further accentuates Rosslare’s importance as the nearest port to mainland Europe,’ she warned the party gathering.
‘Our future is wedded to
Europe – we need to continue trading. Rosslare Europort needs immediate investment to accommodate extra and bigger shipping to reflect increased volume of imports and exports and allow for the opening of new sea routes.
‘The administration needs to change to reflect the new reality. A modern shipping port cannot be run by a railway company, particularly one in financial difficulties.’ Cllr McDonald said it was vital that the infrastructure to the port should be finished.
‘The final piece of the M11 from Enniscorthy to Rosslare needs to be completed to link Rosslare Port to Belfast, with obvious potential for Northern Irish trade. The motorway to Cork and a modernised rail link also need urgent attention.
‘The government needs to seriously up its game on Brexit; their wait and see approach and their lack of urgency to what is one of the gravest threats that our State has ever faced is putting thousands of jobs at risk, not only in Wexford, but throughout the country,’ she said.
‘Brexit may be a historic mistake