Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Lord Kinnoull and his colleagues for this open and insightful conversation and analysis and for the work they carried out in advance.

The one point that stands out is the committee's focus on the rule of the law, rebuilding reputation and trust. That is powerful language.

This engagement has been helpful. We are going through a public divorce. I am not aware of any divorces that went smoothly, whether private or public. This has been a public divorce over the past several years. Key to the future is that relationship. I am reminded of a taxi driver in Armagh during a difficult period of the peace process more than 20 years ago who said that whatever one does, one must keep talking. Engagements like this and continued conversations are important whether it is through the British-Irish Council, the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly or future mechanisms. If bigger and more creative thinking is needed, this committee would certainly be open to that.

Once again, we are grateful for the committee's time. Apologies for the technical hitches at the beginning. We got there in the end and this has been a productive and helpful session.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.