James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations, which have helped to stimulate a great deal of thought on our side of the table. I agree that there is probably a mixture of businesses that do not know precisely what they want or when they will do it and those that do not wish to reveal their hand. It is difficult for us to anticipate, but we know that certain things will happen even if they never leave, namely, the impact on our exchange rate and the effect of that on our exporters.

Will the witnesses expand on the question of job opportunities? I have in mind English-speaking schools. A few years ago, I spoke with the Indian ambassador. There were only 1,000 Indians in Ireland learning English whereas there were more than 100,000 Indians learning English in Britain. That presents an opportunity, especially with the somewhat difficult approach expressed by some people in the UK to immigrants.

Will there be export opportunities for Ireland if barriers are erected in the UK? Where the UK exports products to the rest of the EU, an opportunity will open for people within the EU.

I am not saying that any of the witnesses is an expert on another matter that I wish to touch on, but if the UK exits, the debate on fishing and quotas will reopen. We forwent opportunities many years ago in order to achieve a better outcome for our farmers. Interestingly, Australia is not prepared to do any trade deal with the UK until it has exited. This may be reflected elsewhere.

The 26 other nations were referenced. As we saw with the Comprehensive and Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA, regions within EU states can have an impact. The UK's exit will be a long and drawn-out process. We will have opportunities, but we will need to stay alert to the changing dynamic. Will the witnesses expand on the question of job opportunities and the implications of a default to a WTO arrangement?