'Don't let Brexit wrangles distract from EU benefits' - Maria Walsh

"The last few weeks have not been the best for the European Commission in its efforts to manage the early days of Brexit. The debacle of the abortive Article 16 threat, that led to a rare unity of purpose either side of the Irish border, has turned what should have been a good news story about vaccine supplies into a propaganda win for those in the UK and the north who would like to give the EU a bloody nose.

The subsequent backing down and apology by the President of the Commission, has confirmed this spectacular misstep. But it would be wrong though in my view to allow recent events to distract us from the significant supports that the Commission has given to Ireland since the Brexit decision in 2016-and has pledged to give in the future.

Not only did Europe put Ireland’s concerns at the heart of the Brexit negotiations, it has also pledged to deliver significant financial supports to offset the impact of Brexit. It is important that we all engage with the EU to ensure that these funds are distributed quickly, fairly and get to those who specifically need them.

There are a number of specific sources of funding that Ireland can benefit from. The one that most observers will be familiar with is the Brexit Adjustment Reserve - the €5 billion that was mentioned as a direct support to those countries impacted by Brexit. It’s real money and it has been set aside to do a number of things.

Firstly, it will support economic sectors, businesses and local communities (including those dependant on fisheries) by funding employment schemes, training and re-skilling.

Secondly, it will help pay for the border, customs and security controls that Brexit has inevitably imposed on us. It will also support fisheries control, certification and authorisation regimes for products-in other words help as far as is practicably possible to minimise the disruption to the movement of Irish goods.

Ireland will be the biggest benefactor as we stand to lose the most, particularly in our fisheries. We are projected to get an initial fund of approximately €1 billion. From that fund, €109 million has been allocated to support the fishing industry and I am working with all agencies to ensure that for regions like my own constituency, this money is released quickly and invested wisely in the region. I will also be seeking additional payments to be handed over by 2024 when a second round of payments will be considered.

The other funding initiatives that the EU offers us are an opportunity to fundamentally change the way we work and move towards more sustainable industries.

For example, the Globalisation Adjustment Fund was set up to offset the impact of changes in world trade patterns and the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. It specifically offers funding to member states to support displaced workers, and the self-employed, to move towards sustainable industries, and supports measures to provide flexible working arrangements, childcare allowances and mobility allowances. It will also specifically support developing the skills needed in the digital age.

We also have our own Regional Spatial Economic Strategies (RSES). These are long term, funded and integrated plans that will provide rural regeneration and urban regeneration projects in the Northern Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) area.

Finally, there are local bodies in Ireland that will have access to funding through the Cohesion Policy 2021-2027. The Midlands/West region has been designated as the only ’region in transition’ (its GDP is less than the EU average) in Ireland. The NWRA will manage this regional development model to accelerate economic growth in the area.

This is an opportunity we cannot let pass us by. Ireland has benefited hugely from EU funding in the past. We in the west have always been innovative and open to new industries, and I will be working with our planners and state agencies to ensure that every citizen is aware of these supports, and that those who need them get them quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy."

- Maria Walsh of Fine Gael is a MEP (Member of the European Parliament) for the Midlands-North-West constituency.