Ms Oonagh Duggan:

Yes, the areas of co-operation, North and South. The birds and habitats directives are not included, nor is biodiversity protection. We are concerned that such matters might be overlooked. This would have implications, especially in regard to agriculture. In Ireland, the birds and habitats directives are implemented and are an important part of ensuring that agricultural standards meet environmental standards. They are not included as an area under North–South co-operation.

Water quality is included as part of the North–South Ministerial Council's remit but river basin management planning under the water framework directive is not. As a result, here are a few anomalies that really need to be studied. I hope we will have an opportunity to do so at some point. It is a concern that there are some items not mentioned. They are not mentioned in the protocol as part of the backstop. We want to ensure that they are and that the Good Friday Agreement and its processes will continue to work. With or without Brexit, the process should be reinforced to include some of these topics, which are important on an all-island basis. It is important that they be part of a focus in the future discussions.