Ms Sally-Ann Hart:

I wish everyone a good morning. It is lovely to see you all. I absolutely concur with what Mr. Mills has said about the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and the council. It is absolutely vital that we forge a future relationship together. Ireland is our closest neighbour. We have a long history, some of which has been difficult at times. We must, however, move forward with that close economic relationship, mutual investment, research and development and so on. I know this is something the people of Ireland will want to pursue and continue with as well. That is really important.

With regard to the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill, we do not know the detail of the agreement in principle Mr. Michael Gove reached yesterday, but it seems there might be some real positives involved, including with regard to determining the criteria for goods considered at risk when moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. I know that has been an issue in the past. The exemption of agricultural and fish subsidies from state aid rules also seems to have been agreed in principle, as does the final list of the chairpersons of the arbitration panel for the dispute settlement mechanism. Moving forward, there seems to be some agreement in principle. I understand there needs to be an agreement which both the EU and UK will, at some point, ratify, going through the normal processes with their parliaments. The joint committee will be reconvened to formally adopt such an agreement. It is to be hoped it will come back later this week or at least before Christmas. In saying all of this, I am only saying what I feel. I am not speaking for the Government. I think it is fair to say that is the case for all of us.

Regarding negotiations on the deal, I absolutely agree with Mr. Mills and Mr. Benn that a deal is the best possible outcome. I am really hopeful that a deal can be agreed. There are some sticking points, particularly on the level playing field, state aid and fisheries. These are matters of sovereignty. It is really important that the EU understands that we voted to leave not because we did not want a future relationship with the EU, but because we wanted to re-establish our sovereignty. That is really important. When we are looking at a future relationship, it is all very well to seek control over us in the future, but it is really important that we get on and have a relationship in which neither party has further control over the other. We have to have that equality in the relationship. That is what I would really push.