Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before the witnesses respond, the Brexit committee of the House of Commons chaired by Hilary Benn MP, met us, and even though our meeting that day was very focused on relations between Ireland and Britain on this island, the Good Friday Agreement and the unique position of Northern Ireland, I also mentioned overseas development aid. We are aware of Mr. Benn's contribution in the past as a Minister. I specifically raised with him the need to have quota-free access to the British market for the least developed countries. It is an issue that needs to be amplified as much as possible because it is critical. I hope Britain will maintain its overall budget and funding for overseas development aid. Even if this were to happen when it has gone from the EU, it would not be possible to spend the money in a very progressive manner if there are not transitional arrangements between Britain and the EU to continue programmes in which Britain is already involved. Have the witnesses advocated strongly on the possibility of having transitional arrangements to continue specific programmes?