Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ambassador Mulhall for his very comprehensive report. It is also in keeping with the reports we have had from other Irish ambassadors in embassies throughout the world. Quite a number of Irish ambassadors have presented to the joint committee and we have visited them when we were on official visits abroad.

In regard to the possibility of Britain leaving the European Union and in the event that it does, is there much discussion among the ambassador's contacts in the agencies and bodies, particularly those involved with Irish business, about contingency plans? What sense is he getting from them of coping should Britain leave the EU?

My second question relates to issues I have been involved with in Ireland, such as the Magdalen laundries and I know there are groups of survivors of Magdalen laundries ladies in Britain and I wonder about their contact with the embassy.

In relation to prisoner issues in the North, a group of Deputies have been pursuing this issue from a human rights basis. We have met the Minister for Justice in Northern Ireland several times as well as the Secretary of State, but there is no doubt this issue is very far down the agenda and I wonder how to tackle it in a way that will contribute to a lasting and just peace. I noted that His Excellency said he has a lot of contacts with the British Government and sometimes it is the unofficial word, the unofficial chat that is much more effective.