Mr. Nigel Mills:

I ask for odds because it means one can avoid platitudes and long-winded answers that tell us nothing. In danger of being hoisted by my own petard, the odds are probably 50:50. I used to think it would be more likely than that, but we are in a late stage. The bookmakers are marginally in favour of a deal happening if Deputy Calleary wants to put money on it, but I would not recommend that.

The BIPA has not met this year for various reasons, including the elections in both nations, and it must be reformed. Covid also means that we cannot meet physically. There is a need to review the BIPA's committee set-up. Some are more active than others depending on who the chair is. There is probably a role for a committee to examine UK-Irish relations, how they could be enhanced and what institutions could be put in place to make them work on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis. The last few BIPA sessions were a little dull and interaction and networking were not happening as they ought to have. A wholesale review of the BIPA is needed now that our relationship has changed, but it is the right institution. It just needs to be brought forward the 20 or so years since it was formed.