Dr. Katy Hayward:

I, too, thank the committee for inviting us to present evidence to it today. I wish to make three small points and they relate to the perspective of looking ahead - thinking about where we are now and the risks we face.

The first point is that a key success of the Good Friday Agreement, and of course in the context of European integration, was the depoliticisation of the Border. Comments recently about Border polls and pointing to evidence from Border polls show that this is at risk of being undermined. A more particular concern in that regard is the quite public disagreement between the Irish and British Governments on the future of the Irish Border. This is not just an abstract ideological difference. It has a direct effect on political debate and positioning within Northern Ireland. It is a particularly polarising effect.

This is of concern with regard to my second point. Brexit is a process of negotiation that will involve a need for compromise and accommodation. In so doing it will have to be sold to a common or centre ground within Northern Ireland. The more disagreement there is publicly about the future of the Irish Border, the more this undermines the centre ground in Northern Ireland. It is important to bear that in mind in approaching the need to protect the Good Friday Agreement and, indeed, thinking about what Brexit might look like for Northern Ireland. On that point, let us not lose sight of the fact that there is quite a lot of consensus between all the main parties in Northern Ireland regarding Brexit and what is a priority for Northern Ireland. In particular, all the parties agree that any arrangement for Northern Ireland after Brexit must recognise the unique and particular circumstances of Northern Ireland. All the parties recognise the significance of the Border, are concerned to avoid a hard border and recognise the particular circumstances arising from the peace process.

It is important to focus on that consensus because my last point is that devolution must be restored. It must be a pressing priority for both Governments. I was pleased to hear the Secretary of State reiterate that it is a number one priority for the UK Government. This is vital because if we are to have bespoke arrangements for Northern Ireland after Brexit, not just during the transition but in the next five to ten years, it will be necessary to have properly functioning devolution, not least because that would enable the North-South and the east-west institutions to function as they were intended to in the Good Friday Agreement.