Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman for organising this meeting. It is important we had an opportunity to discuss this Bill with the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, who I thank for her attendance and her presentation. It is regrettable that we are here at all. I say that with reference to what Deputy O'Dea said. However, we have to deal with the hand that is being played. I compliment the Minister and her officials on the work they have done in this area, in particular the Minister's work with her counterpart in the UK. There is a great deal of concern among people in regard to the security of their entitlements. I welcome that the Bill underpins the common travel area and ensures that the associated rights and entitlements of Irish and British citizens under this long-standing arrangement will continue in any circumstance.

Will the Minister outline what payments are covered by the agreement signed on 1 February 2019? Will she also confirm that pensioners in Ireland will continue to receive their UK pensions into their bank accounts and that the all-Ireland free travel scheme will not be impacted by Brexit?