Mr. Justice Bryan McMahon:

The committee has those numbers now. In June 2015, when I finished the report with the working group, I was functus officio. I am no longer relevant as my job was finished. I am here today as the former chair of a working group that finished its job in 2015. I still maintain an interest in the whole area but I have no official status. I want to make that clear. I would classify myself, if I may, as an informed advocate at this juncture with no official status. However, I am being kept in the loop by the Department. In taking its evidence, the committee should pay attention to the people who are at the coalface in this matter.

I have drawn attention to the differences that have arisen during the past 15 years but I am not at the coalface. I am sure many other witnesses will come before the committee and I want members to bear that in mind.