Brexit’s regional risks: European Committee of Regions to address EU Affairs Committee

Tuesday’s hearing at 4 p.m. in Committee Room 3, Leinster House, will feature testimony from Karl-Heinz Lambertz, president of the European Committee of the Regions, an advisory body for regional and local governments across the 28-nation union.

EU Affairs Committee members are expected to discuss with President Lambertz the potential impact of Brexit on EU regional and local authorities, many of which have yet to formulate firm plans to cope with potential lost trade, tourism and other ties with the UK.

Mr. Lambertz is being joined by five leaders of pan-European parties hailing from Belgium, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands. Their delegation is scheduled to visit the Irish border Wednesday.

“While Ireland faces the greatest economic exposure to Brexit of any EU member, many regional and municipal authorities across Europe have their own business and cultural ties to the UK and are understandably worried about the future of those relations,” said Committee Chairman Michael Healy-Rae TD.

“We look forward to hearing how the European Committee of the Regions helps so many disparate localities and identities across our continent to speak with one voice,” Deputy Healy-Rae said. “We all hope that such coordination and solidarity will help to mitigate the difficulties expected from Brexit.”

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

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