Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Some issues have already been touched on. I thank the delegation for coming before the committee. For anyone who gets an opportunity to talk to Mr. Aiken afterwards, his previous life is almost more exciting than his current one.

Referendums are coming down the line, including the one in the UK on EU membership, which this committee would regard as having more to do with UK politics than any desire to get the opinions of people in the UK about their long-term relationship with the EU. Scottish independence is coming down the line and is part of the issue. I know the British Irish Chamber of Commerce does not have an active view on politics but North Sea oil, the Royal Bank of Scotland and the question of who owns that particular basket case when the poll is held, and Scotland's relationship with the EU are all issues. We know that what the delegation is talking about in terms of UKTI is the correct model. Ireland opened a new consulate in Atlanta, which the Chairman and I visited. It is a small version of what we are talking about, with the trade element and the consulate in the one building. We do that in New York as well, and it works. Bord Bia and the like are world-class organisations but they tend to be all over the place. When one has cross-sectoral trade or companies, they do not know to whom they are supposed to go. Do they go to Bord Bia or the IDA? That becomes a problem.

I know the British Irish Chamber of Commerce does not get involved on a political level, but the delegation answered the question on the EU referendum. What is their view on Scottish independence? What effect do they think that would have on Ireland's trade with Scotland? There is the North-South element to deal with as well. Does the British Irish Chamber of Commerce have many members from Northern Ireland?