Brexit and the Ireland/N Ireland

Border Corridor

‘The case of Local Authorities’

Pamela Arthurs

East Border Region

Thursday 16th November 2017

Ireland/N Ireland Border

Area

1970’s:

• High Unemployment

• Weak Infrastructure, roads/telecommunications

• No inward investment

• No Tourism

• Lack of Highly skilled workforce

• Irish Economy ‘sick man of Europe’

Political

Situation

1970’s

• Almost 500 people lost lives 1972

• Border roads closed

• Border checkpoints

• Continuous unrest

• Fear and mistrust – both communities

• ‘ not conducive to cross border

cooperation’

Local Authority Cross Border

Cooperation

1970’s

Elected members realised:-

1. ‘back to back’ development not working.

2. Areas of common concern

3. Strength in working together

4. The Border area - more disadvantaged on both sides

Considered a new approach which was to work together for the common good.

Local Authority Cross Border Cooperation

Result:

1976: East Border Region Committee

4 Local Authorities 2 ROI 2NI

1975: North West Group

• Aim: to promote cross border economic development which benefits all of the people of the cross border region.

• Visionary – first cross border political organisations.

• Daunting – Irish politicians feared crossing the border to attend meetings.

• Innovative

Challenges

‘Back in the early 1970,s there was literally no cooperation at any level, political or otherwise.. I didn’t know any of the Cllrs in Omeath( ROI ) despite the fact that I could literally look out my front door and see Omeath.’ Jim Mc Cart, former Councillor Warrenpoint, N Ireland

‘You must remember that the actual border per se had a very strong physical presence.. It was a very hard time to work cross border.’ Eddie Mc Grady, former MP

East Border Region 1980’s

Genuinely cross border

Comprising:-

1. Elected member all political parties in the Local Authorities

2. Senior officials from Local Authorities

• Meetings rotated across the border

• Chairman rotated north/south annually

• Cross border Issues raised Roads, Rail, Tourism, Agriculture, Fishing, Telecommunications

1980’s Local Authorities

• Trust and relationships – elected members and officials developed

• Cllrs and officials became familiar with differences across the border

• Cllrs and officials – cross border working – practical. Eg Roads

• New areas of common concern emerged.

• Common work plans were developed

• Realisation that strength in working together

Challenges for Local Authorities

• Political situation was on going

• Cross Border cooperation was not popular

• Unionist community in N Ireland fearful

• Both Dublin and Belfast governments not supportive

• No finance for cross border activity/ work plans could not be implemented.

• East Border Region financed by Local Authorities but they had very little money.

• Local Authorities different responsibilities.

EU Territorial Cooperation Programmes

INTERREG and PEACE enabled the transformation of the Irl/N Ireland border area.

• Local Authorities at the forefront of cross border Economic Development.

• By 2016 all political parties involved in activity – recognise benefit to everyone

• Funded projects contribute to the Ireland/ N Ireland Peace Process

European Union

‘constant backdrop to

cross border cooperation

since its inception’

Local Authority

Co operation enhanced EU funding established the Border Corridor

necklace, 3 distinct groupings with same

goals

• East Border Region 1976

• ICBAN 1996

• NWRCBG 1975

Local Authorities along the Irish border could

collaborate as a corridor.

Stronger voice – Border Corridor 1million

people

Border Corridor response to

Brexit

Brexit

‘ a game changer for cross border cooperation’

• Brexit represents a common challenge

• No government in N Ireland – Local elected members

only political voice

• Negotiations directly between London and Brussels –

fear that Border area not a priority for London

• Southern border councils immediately impacted

negatively – Sterling depreciation

Local Authorities

40 years cross border cooperation must

mu be preserved

I million people live in the Border

Corridor – Local Authorities have a

duty of care towards them.

Result: ‘ Brexit and the Border Corridor’

Outlining: Challenges, Risks and

Opportunities

Outcome of Border Corridor

study Two strategic outcomes

1. Brexit will impact on all aspects of the

economy of the region. An economic

border must be avoided.

2. Brexit will impact on the people and

communities of the Border Corridor.

The Peace Process must be

protected during negotiations

Profile of the Border Corridor

The Border Corridor suffered more than any other part

of Ireland/NI during the political conflict which

contributed to a weaker economy, infrastructure & skills

deficit, higher unemployment, weak inward investment

and social exclusion.

Border communities and people suffered disturbances

to their way of life on a daily basis. Border

communities still more disadvantaged

The Peace Process and the Good Friday Agreement

1998 enabled us to address these issues and it is

essential that all strands of the GFA are maintained

post Brexit.

Key sectoral impacts

• EU Funding

• Healthcare

• Tourism

• Economy

• Border Communities

EU funding

• In the last 20 years EU Funding has enabled us to

modernise the Border Corridor

• €3.5bn is allocated to NI programmes from the EU

from 2014-2020. CAP payments account for 70% of

this

• Those programmes with a cross-border element

(INTERREG VA and Peace IV) will make €469m

available up to 2020

Both Programmes must continue as Cross border

co- operation is still not easy. The Peace Process

must be protected.

EU Funded Projects

Infrastructure

N.I. Science Park

Infrastructure

Newry – Dundalk Road

Environment

Biodiversity/Greenways

Energy

The Peace Bridge

Healthcare

• Access across the Border for Healthcare is critical

• Radiotherapy Centre – N Ireland, services cross border

• NI Children travel to Dublin for paediatric care and heart surgery

• Numerous NI Patients treated in Dublin

• Ireland patients treated in N Ireland (Gynae, Orthodontics)

• Cross border health projects facilitate cross border health service linkages. (Currently funded by INTERREG )

Border Tourism • Over 3.3 million visitors per annum – Border Corridor .

• Tourism is an economic driver. Creates employment and export earnings. Freedom of movement critical for future sustainability.

• Some Tourist attractions straddle the border. Eg Unesco Geopark, Fermanagh/Cavan. Future EU funding for ROI element but not NI?

• Challenge to grow tourism numbers and to move from a dependence on ‘family and friends’ visitors and older tourists than in other parts of Ireland.

• Given access to the region is largely through ports and airports in other areas the question of infrastructure access is a key consideration.

Economic Solution

2. Invest in Business.

• 97% Border Businesses not prepared for

Brexit (ITI statistics). SME’s the back bone of

Border Corridor. Investment plans have been

put on hold. Funding should be made

available to assist with preparation.

• Information/Advice regarding tariffs required

• Agrifood industry Facing particular

challenges .Southern border industries

impacted now and need assistance now. Eg

mushroom industry, Monaghan.

• Agriculture. Need for properly funded

transitional arrangements.

Community Impact

Border communities face the threat of their

whole way of life changing

• Communities have worked seamlessly

across the border for many years

• Communities just recovering from political

turmoil

• Brexit will once again divide these areas.

- Families, relatives across border

- Farms divided by border

- Church in N Irl and graveyard in Ireland

- School which crosses the border

- cross border shopping, socialising

This impact will not be felt anywhere else in

Ireland or the UK !

Brexit Impact

Loss of Peace Funding

Border corridor depends on Peace money to

- Foster cross community cooperation.

- Encourage social inclusion

- Breakdown barriers

- Address negative economic impact of the conflict

- Peace Process essential in this regard also.

- EU member states also recognise importance of

Peace and so supported unique Peace Programme.

Border Local Authorities have been at the forefront

of these developments. Recognise the need to

preserve Peace Process.

Solution

Peace and INTERREG Programmes continue

• Current examples of EU/Non EU countries

drawing down these funds

• Peace unique to Irl/N Ireland but is drawn

from European Territorial Cooperation Fund,

like INTERREG

• Requirement

- Political will Dublin, Stormont, London and

Brussels

- Financial commitment

Common Travel Area

• Common Travel Area must continue.

• Free movement of people is essential

to maintain the existing way of life for

those who live and work along the

border corridor

• Access to cross border education and

health vital.

Irish didn’t vote to leave EU!

Conclusion • Local Authorities have been at the forefront

of cross border cooperation.

• Trust and capacity has developed slowly

across the border

• European Union has been constant support

mechanism

• EU funding has transformed the Border

Corridor

• 2016 cross border cooperation was still

challenging

• Brexit - ‘game changer ‘

Certainty required!