Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Sherry. I have a few comments to make before members pose their questions. The first work undertaken by the committee approximately 18 months ago was to look at the situation around Brexit. Representatives from the organisations before us today also presented at that stage. All present are aware that Brexit is an unwelcome development and not in Ireland's national interest. I was struck by Mr. Donoghue's comments in that regard. Mr. Sherry set out the economic challenges and long-term implications. Do the witnesses think that companies are more aware of the challenges facing them than they were 18 months ago? The word we heard the most at committee meetings on Brexit at that time was "uncertainty" and that nobody really knew what was coming down the line. We still probably do not know exactly what is to come. Are companies now more aware of the challenges they will face? Some 18 months after first appearing before the committee, do the witnesses believe they have the proper resources to help companies face those challenges?

The witnesses said they have extra staff.

If there was no Brexit, could the energy, commitment and emphasis of InterTradeIreland and the IDA be put into something other than Brexit? I am sure the issue of Brexit has taken up much of their time and work in the past 18 months. If the vote in the UK was not carried, do the witnesses feel they could have pursued other avenues, which they have now missed out on?