TDs address meeting on Brexit in Westgrove Hotel, Clane

Over 70 people turned out for last night’s Brexit meeting in the Westgrove Hotel, Clane to hear local TD James Lawless chair a meeting to discuss Brexit and how it will affect Ireland and Kildare North.

Caption for the group from left to right; Cllr Carmel Kelly, Cllr Naoise O’Cearúil, Cllr Paul Ward, Stephen Donnelly TD, James Lawless TD, Jacqui McNabb, Prof. John O’Brennan, Allan Shine.

The meeting was addressed and organised by Mr Lawless and included presentations by Stephen Donnelly, TD Fianna Fáil spokesperson for Brexit, Allan Shine of Kildare Chamber of Commerce, Jacqui McNabb of the Kildare Local Enterprise Office, and Prof. John O’Brennan of Maynooth University.

Speaking following the meeting Mr Lawless said “I am delighted to have been able to host a wide ranging meeting to discuss all things Brexit. The volume of people attending shows just how important Brexit is to every one of us and will reach us all as the UK continues to negotiate to leave the EU.

“There is a danger and serious consequence for us in Kildare North. Particularly jobs in the agri-sector, equine industry, and tech industry, all of which base themselves heavily in our constituency. Small to medium sized enterprises need to be catered for and part of our meeting addressed that. All the focus to date has been on high level diplomacy, the Government simply hasn’t been doing the groundwork in helping businesses prepare for Brexit. A whole of Government response is needed to deal with this. We need to see detailed sectoral response plans which set out how the Government intends to deal with Brexit and assist SME’s overcome what will undoubtedly be a sudden economic shock to their operations.

“I look forward to continuing working with Stephen to ensure my constituents are kept up to speed on Brexit as we come into a crucial stage in the negotiations." Deputy Stephen Donnelly addressed the meeting detailing the involvement Fianna Fáil have with both the Northern Irish parties, the Conservatives and Labour parties in the UK, and the Irish Governments approach to the negotiations. Considerable time was spent discussing Northern Ireland, the potential of a hard border on the island of Ireland, and trade between the two countries post Brexit.