The Border, Brexit and the French connections

Thomas Lyons

Cavan County Council chamber was the venue for an information exchange that will bring the concerns of Border communities surrounding Brexit to the French Parliament. Parliamentarians from the fellow EU member state were part of a delegation that met with the local business community and elected representatives.
Director of Services with Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle, facilitated the meeting. Mr Doyle said Cavan has a crucial interest in negotiations between the EU and the UK. He told the French visitors that, since the establishment of the Peace Process, the political and religious barriers have been overcome and trade has flourished.
“It is in the interest of Europe that peace is not threatened or compromised in any way,” the Director of Services said.
In his role as chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee, Deputy Brendan Smith, co-ordinated the visit of the French dignitaries. He stressed the vital importance “a deep understanding of the adverse impact Brexit can have on Ireland”.

Negotiators in the EU UK discussions must be aware of this. “We cannot countenance any weakening in the working of the Belfast agreement for the good of the people of all of Ireland,” Deputy Smith told the French delegation.
Mr Doyle gave a presentation to the guests on the county. As well as a general overview, he spoke of the importance of cross border trade and tourism to the region. He told guests that Peace funding has created hundreds of projects that have helped alleviate the negative consequences of the troubles by bringing disparate communities together.
Marcella Rudden, head of enterprise with Local Enterprise Office, addressed the visitors on the role her office plays in developing local businesses. She said encouraging innovation and development into new markets was at the core of LEO's strategy. Ms Rudden made mention of figures from a Cavan County Council report suggesting that 32,000 cross the border each day for work.
The leader of the French delegation was Christian Cambon, a member of the French Senate, representing the Val-de-Marne department. He is a member of the Senate Republican Group and president of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces Committee.
Mr Cambon said eliciting the social and economic implication of Britain leaving the European Union was the main thrust of the visit. He said that they were interested in hearing about how it would effect communities in the region, in Dublin and in Belfast.
Mr Cambon said there was no magic solution to the problem of the UK's departure and noted that it posed many logistical questions. The leader of the delegation said a report would be prepared for the French Parliament based on their findings.
Jean Bizet, a member of the Senate of France, representing the Manche department, is a member of the Union for a Popular Movement. Since March 2010, he is the chairman of the European Affairs Committee. He asked the business leaders if they could see opportunities in a post Brexit Europe.
One of the delegations said that there cannot be an open border as this would allow unregulated access to the EU. He agreed that maintaining a customs union would be the preferable option.
Another delegate asked what infrastructural provisions are being made to accommodate increased trade with France, making particular mention of potential development of Cork harbour.
Members of the business community in attendance included Sean Tully Feed, Virginia Transport, Liffey Meats, Abcon, Celtic Energy, AW Ennis and Ballytherm.
The business leaders brought their concerns to the French political representatives. The reoccurring theme of 'uncertainty' was a staple topic. Other anticipated problems included the risk of currency fluctuation, the dependence on the UK as a landbridge to mainland Europe and the risk of delays, tariffs and additional bureaucracy.
Raymond Tully told the visitors that many of the opportunities presented by Brexit favoured urban centres like Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway; while the adverse impacts would be most acutely experienced in rural areas like Cavan and Monaghan.
Fine Gael Senator Joe O'Reilly suggested to the French delegation there was a potential slip back to violence was one of the devastating consequence of a hard border. He asked the French politicians to “hold the solidarity of the 27 member nations” in supporting Ireland's interest.
Emphasising the proximity of the deadline Cllr John Paul Feeley said Brexit is a serious issue for all: “If we see a restoration of a hard border, many mild mannered people will be out removing cameras and interfering with border posts, we will not tolerate a return to a hard border.”
Senator Diarmaid Wilson and Deputy Niamh Smyth also addressed the meeting on their concerns.