Ms Elisha McCallion:

Most of what I was going to ask has been answered but I have a few questions. I welcome the deputation and thank them for coming to give evidence to the committee. I particularly welcome the contingent from the north west. We could have possibly saved them a trip because we are hoping to go up to the area as a committee very soon.

While I am encouraged by the witnesses' positivity on where things may or may not go, I think they are right to be concerned about the repeal of legislation in the way suggested by the British Government. We do not know what that will mean. Have there been specific conversations about the needs for example of the Loughs Agency, in the context of the legislative change that could happen post-Brexit, notwithstanding that we do not know how any of this will look? I would like to think there have been conversations with the British Government in particular about that repeal legislation.

On the jurisdictional issue I hear the call for help from the committee. We have influence in all jurisdictions. What is the current status? This does need to be done. We have been listening to it for a while but what is the blockage, if there is one? Is it just that the process is taking too long? What can we, collectively or individually, do, be it here in Dublin, in London or in the North? Can the witnesses give us a synopsis of that issue?

Senator Feighan has already commended the Loughs Agency on its good work. I too recognise the huge amount of work undertaken by the agency and all of the key stakeholders in the north-west region to bring together to almost reclaim the Foyle. Much more work needs to be done in that regard. I know the Loughs Agency is involved in the conversations between the stakeholders in order to maximise the potential of the Foyle. There is a dramatic difference between the use of the Foyle eight years ago and now.

Congratulations are due to the witnesses and the stakeholders on bringing forward what is now one of our most successful festivals, the Foyle Maritime Festival. I wish to record my appreciation for that.

With regard to canals and the issue of charging, is there a universal model across the islands or do different areas do things differently? I was shocked to hear that there is no charging at present for such a thing and I wonder if it is done in Scotland, England and Wales or elsewhere. If there are models, what is the best one?

While I hope I am wrong in this and that the witnesses' positivity is correct, I cannot see how the Loughs Agency will be protected in the short term. The witnesses said they have concerns in the medium to long term with regard to legislation but I cannot get my head around it in the short term even though there have been relationships going back to the 1950s. The witnesses are right about the fact that we all take for granted the work of the Loughs Agency and all the cross-Border agencies. We have all been doing that for the past number of years. We should not take it for granted. How has that confidence come about that things will be okay in the short term?