The Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) would propose that the committee examines the following issues: - Priorities for replacing EU funding - Impact on rural areas & regeneration of rural areas - in particular the effect on councils - Cooperation in cross-border environmental issues - in particular the effect on councils - Access to cross-border health services

Time is short and in order to make a success of Brexit - hard or soft - we need as few unnecessary complications as possible. Northern Ireland as part of the UK is an anachronism and and unnecessary complication to future relations with the EU. Northern Ireland should be separated from the United Kingdom either through independence or sovereignty ceded to the Irish Republic to be exercised through a modification of power sharing and the Good Friday Agreement. The game is simply not worth the candle.

* Regarding NI/ROI, Brexit should be in the domain of the British Isles and not with the EU. Verhofstadt tried to take credit along with the EU for securing the GFA. That was a disgusting comment to make and is an afront to all the Irish people who perished in the conflict both Cath and Prot. * Nobody wants a hard border but everything must be done to prevent EU nationals trying to enter the wider UK via NI/ROI post brexit. There must be some method of 'border control' that incorporates passport/VISA/Entry controls. Additional resources should be funded to bolster security and should be paid by ROI and the EU -NOT the UK

2. Founded in Northern Ireland in 1998 the Association now represents 95% of aggregate production in the Province. Our membership includes major, medium and smaller sized companies. The Association represents companies engaged in the supply of primary aggregates; the processing of recycled and secondary materials; the production of down stream processed products such as asphalt, lime, mortar, ready-mixed concrete and precast and road surfacing contracting It is widely accepted that the Northern Ireland economy is at greater risk from effects of Brexit than any other Region of the UK. The construction materials industry in Northern Ireland is worth some £650 million and trades across these islands and beyond on a daily basis so any barriers at the border with the Irish Republic or with mainland GB would impact severely on NI Construction Material suppliers. For example, approximately 80% of the cement used in the NI Construction Industry is sourced from the Irish Republic. Also approximately 80% of the precast concrete manufactured in Northern Ireland is transport across the Irish Sea for use on construction sites in GB. Another major concern for us is the post Brexit ability of our companies and their workforce to win and carry out construction work in the Irish Republic as they currently do. QPANI would welcome the opportunity to provide further written and oral evidence, if required, to the inquiry into Brexit and its impact on Northern Ireland

My main worry is maintaining security along the border

I am extremely worried about this. I am a single dad and I share custody of my kids. My kids mother is from co Leitrim in southern Ireland. She makes weekly trips over the border as do I for pickup of our kids. If a border goes up Will i have trouble getting to see my kids. Yes I will as law is different in South. If this happens I will blame the government. Can government guarantee me that I will have full access to my kids after brexit

One area which could be affected by Brexit is the environmental management and protection of the 2 Border Loughs: Lough Foyle and Carlingford. Brexit talks pose an opportunity to address gaps in present lough protection and management legislation. The Lough Agency does not have a remit for biodiversity protection and no body is responsible for managing a range of activities which have sprung up in the loughs. Both governments have stated claims to the loughs up to HWM on the other side. We are not asking the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee to focus on the claims, but on generating a legal X border frame for the wise management and protection of the lough resources for the good of nature and people on both sides. There is growing lough habitat damage and marine litter, due to lack of policy and law which we in Coastwatch have documented and would be happy to share. Of particular concern is the rise in Japanese oyster aquaculture on trestles and mussel bottom culture into high value sensitive habitats like native oyster beds and sea grass meadows. If the loughs were managed wisely, with restoration of damaged areas and a boost to the dwindling native oyster beds, (which have been declared priority species in NI) then ecotourism and related activities would blossom. The loughs are stunning! The Committee could focus on the options of future protection and management of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough to fulfil UN water and biodiversity goals, review and address present specific legal problems. The committee should hear from representatives of key stakeholders on both sides of the lough, who have a vision of sustainable use and want an income from healthy waters. Further it would be useful to invite reps from international bodies which have dealt with in and out of EU waters regarding designation as OSPAR MPA, or World Wetland (Ramsar) site. Coastwatch coordinators N and S would also be happy to provide further information.

Arlene Foster's recent speech in the Republic is to be welcomed. I would like to see the British-Irish Council & BIPA etc expanded in a manner of the Nordic Council to bring the British Isles closer together.

Areas most affected are agrifood, manufacturing, services and fishing. Any employer whose business involves cross border movement. Negative effects limited so far, because of sterling devaluation, but depending on whether the UK retains a status similar to the present customs union, border regulation, tariffs and physical delays will discourage or rule out cross-border activity. Just as importantly they are already affecting community and political relations between unionists and nationalists, in that a potential barrier is being erected between north and south, thus disrupting hopes of reestablishing agreed devolved government at Stormont. The supply agreement between Conservatives and D U P is equally if not more disruptive. The committee should consult with the widest spectrum of opinion, unionist-nationalist, and making sure to speak to the smaller parties, who have been frozen out of the political talks. Never forget that Northern Ireland voted remain, including 70% plus in the border counties. If there is any kind of border barrier expect disruption and civil disobedience at best, dissident republican activity at worst.

I could say an awful lot but I am sure you want a short comment. I believe the impact on Ireland North and South was completely overlooked in the Brexit campaign. I see no positives only negatives. The EU made a significant contribution to the Peace Process including the investment of much needed funding. The absence of an economic border is of the utmost importance. In the first stage agreement between the UK and EU the Irish question has been simply pushed down the road, no matter what makeshift solution they try to come up with the impact for the North/Northern Ireland and the Republic will be negative and could even be devastating. Remember that 56% of the population voted to remain. Sinn Fein were fairly non committed during the referendum and as a result the turn out in Nationalist areas was quite low. If there were a second vote I believe there would be an even larger vote for remain