The former taoiseach Bertie Ahern fears the future of the North



[ad_1]

Former Minister Bertie Ahern raised concerns that the North would be left in limbo without peace and without infrastructure funding.

Speaking to Donegal, MacGill Summer School, Mr. Ahern also suggested Britain, after Brexit, would undermine its own market as a destination for Ireland's agri-food exports.

His remarks come as negotiations between the EU and Britain continue this week to try to reach a withdrawal agreement. for Brexit.

million. Ahern, pronouncing the 18th Annual John Hume Conference in Glenties, said: "I urge the European Union to continue supporting future peace programs in Ireland, after the British departure from the United States. European Union."

The Brexit, former leader of Fianna Fáil, stated that there was "no reason for the European Union to be unable to continue to support the Irish peace process in the new political architecture of the European Union. "

as well as public agencies, private sector enterprises and the farming community.

Under the Common Agricultural Policy 2014-2020, farmers in the North will receive more than 2.6 billion euros of direct payments during this period. This represents 87% of total agricultural income in the North

However, billions of euros in funding will come to an end by the end of the year 2020.

Agriculture and food are vital Important elements of the Northern Ireland economy and these sectors will need to be heavily supported financially after the departure of the British from the European Union , said Mr Ahern

Brexit had removed the "debate over the replacement of the future He then added:" In other words, how much money will the British government allocate? it after 2020 to replace the EU-funded programs currently operating in Northern Ireland? "19659003]" This is indeed a very serious issue and all contracting parties need to Sit down and evaluate how to advance these issues in a positive and constructive way "

Addressing the media before the conference Mr. Ahern said that we were only a few months away" from where the negotiations on the next one would begin. funding cycle for the North.

"They [Britain] said that they would provide.There is a big difference between that [and reality] … It could be left where it is not paid."

There were also warnings about Brexit's impact on Irish food exports. Mr. Ahern added in his lecture at the summer university: "The land border shared between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland has resulted in the development of a highly integrated agri-food sector, with significant volumes of annual trade in live animals and finished products. For example, more than 800 million liters of milk come from farms in Northern Ireland but are processed into dairy products and ingredients by co-operatives south of the border.

conducting its own bilateral trade agreements with third countries will undermine the UK market as a destination for Irish agri-food exports. "

Meanwhile, speaking at the opening of the 38th year of the summer school, the French ambbadador to Ireland Stéphane Crouzat According to Paris, the safety net was the "only viable solution for Ireland"

This ensures a frictionless border in the North if it stays in the customs union but is considered an option of last resort

France was preparing to "all eventualities", including a non-transaction, added Mr. Crouzat. [ad_2]
Source link