Border group to meet German ambassador following Merkel/Johnson call

By Aoife Moore, PA

A group representing border communities have travelled to the Irish parliament to discuss no-deal Brexit planning.

Border Communities Against Brexit visited the Dail on Wednesday to meet with politicians from all parties as well as the German ambassador, after leaked reports of a conversation between UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel sparked major concerns over Britain crashing out of the EU in just over two weeks.

Mr Johnson and the German leader allegedly spoke about the proposals the UK had put forward to the EU.

Leaked reports after the call said Mrs Merkel made clear that any deal based on those plans was "overwhelmingly unlikely".

Mrs Merkel's office did not confirm the leaks, saying it does not comment on "private" conversations.

Damian McGennity, one of Borders Communities Against Brexit's founders, said the meeting with the German ambassador Deike Potzel was vital in order to allay fears among his community.

"We're going to the German Embassy this afternoon," he said.

"That's a very important meeting today after the phone call between Boris Johnson and Angela Merkel, we need explain how any hard border infrastructure will effect our communities," he said.

"Our key question for Irish politicians is going to be: 'What is the plan for the Irish border? What is it going to look like?' Now no-deal looks very likely, we've seen no plan for that yet.

"We fully support the Irish Government, they've done a good job, and we still want to see the backstop implemented too. But from where we stand today, we have no idea what no-deal looks like."

Tuesday's Irish budget for 2020 saw a 1.2 billion euro (£1.07 billion) package to respond to Brexit, with 650 million euro (£582 million) made available to support the agriculture, enterprise and tourism sectors.

This is a welcome addition, the group says, but concerns remain for the northern side of the border.

"Certainly it's good that the Government is reacting," Mr McGennity added.

"The key is how the border is going to be managed.

"The issue is on the northern side - we have no financial assistance for businesses, that's going to have to be raised with the British Government, but they are very much stuck in the frame of getting no-deal, having an election and shoring up a Conservative majority."

Concerns were heightened around the Irish border last week when a trailer loaded with new customs vehicles was brought to Dundalk, Co Louth. The group said the Irish Government could be more transparent about its plans when it comes to those most affected by changes at the border.

Mr McGennity added: "It's a noticeable change around the border now. The change happened last Monday when they saw the customs cars arriving in Dundalk, that was the first tangible thing. People said: 'This is now happening', and people believe there is going to be a no-deal.

"Is there going to be checks? That's what people are asking us.

"I think the Irish Government are playing their cards close to their chest and I can understand why the Irish government cannot be seen to be preparing for no-deal, and we need to face reality sooner or later and I think it's going to be close."