Irish Government Urged To Focus More on Brexit

Deputy Chambers headed a Fianna Fáil delegation to the European Commission and Parliament last week to meet with the Article 50 taskforce, Commissioner Hogan and other stakeholders and interest groups.
Following the series of meetings Deputy Chambers has now commented, “At the moment the sole focus is on the European Council meeting in June and whether sufficient progress will be made on the issue of the backstop. Fianna Fáil is supportive of the Government’s efforts in this regard and is adamant that there cannot be a hard border on the island of Ireland.

Attended #Brexit Stakeholder meeting this am, all sectors, industry & politicians working together to get best deal for Ireland. Genuine concern around domestic preparedness & outcome of June Council meeting. Next few weeks/months crucial to avoiding cliff edge. @fiannafailparty

— Lisa Chambers TD (@lichamber) May 30, 2018

“However, I and my colleagues also acutely aware that Brexit encompasses more than just the issue of the border - it will also result in significant changes to the East-West trading relationship.
"The UK is our nearest neighbour and largest trading partner and it will become a third country at 11pm on the 29th March 2019. We must be prepared for that."
She added: “Whilst I recognise that a 21 month transition period has been agreed in principle, that is dependent on there being a withdrawal agreement and we cannot take anything for granted. 51% of our beef exports and 26% of our beverage exports go to the UK and irrespective of the type of Brexit that emerges there will be a change to our trading relationship. We need a plan for this reality.

How I’m feeling this eve! ❤️ #RepealedTheEighth pic.twitter.com/WxtVy66l5w

— Lisa Chambers TD (@lichamber) May 26, 2018

Along with her colleagues Niall Collins and Billy Kelleher, Lisa held meetings with the food and drink sector.
"The message that is being relayed to us is that more needs to be done to help businesses prepare for Brexit," she says.
They are asking what happens if there is a hard Brexit, and in particular, the challenges that the land bridge poses.
"They also expressed concerns about the expected lengthy delays between Dover and Calais. Many businesses feel unprepared for such a scenario."
She insisted that Fianna Fáil is not, as the Government has claimed, trying to score political points by criticising its domestic approach to Brexit.
"We are trying to protect our businesses and SMEs and ensure that whatever the outcome, the government has done all it can to insulate them against the worst effects of Brexit," she maintains.
"This is simply just common sense, nothing more, nothing less.”