Your daily dose of, ‘what the hell?’
It’s been almost six months since Britain voted to opt out of the European union in a historic referendum. The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) were one of the main promoters of the Leave side with Nigel Farage at the helm.
Today, during the Welsh Assembly, a UKIP Assembly Member asked the country’s First Minister if Ireland could fund the cost of a Welsh motorway improvement scheme following Brexit.
David Rowlands, Assembly Member for South Wales East, asked: “Will the First Minister explore the possibility of part of the cost for the M4 improvement scheme being borne by the Irish Government, given that three quarters of all Irish exports to the EU and UK pass along that road?”
After the possibility was vehemently discredited by First Minister Carwyn Jones, Rowlands said: “This is a serious proposition, as I understand Ireland may be able to access funds from the Trans-European highways fund”.
A #UKIP AM has just asked if Govt would ask Ireland to pay for a new M4, because Ireland has access to EU funds. 👀pic.twitter.com/Z4BhjftWCF
— Plaid Cymru Islwyn Newport West (@PlaidIslwyn) November 29, 2016
Despite Rowlands’ seriousness, the chamber erupted in jeers and laughter at the suggestion that Ireland would in any way fund the repairs and upkeep of a motorway in Wales.
As Ireland is a member of the EU, we will have access to structural funds and grants as part of membership. The EU provides funding for better roads through its regional development funds, the European Investment Bank and trans-European networks.
With Britain intending on exiting the EU by 2019, these funds will no longer be available to them, hence, the UKIP politician’s request.
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