Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Russell is very welcome and I thank him for joining us. This is a very interesting exchange. There have been huge bonds between Scotland and Ireland in geographical and cultural terms, and in every sphere, over the years. In that context I am delighted that the Government has initiated a review of our bilateral relations. That review began in 2019 and will hopefully develop. I would be interested in Mr. Russell's response to this. I am not sure of the level of it at the moment but given the cultural links I see great potential to increase the tourism product between Scotland and Ireland, in a post-Brexit context, as part of a bilateral review. There would be great opportunities, particularly in the part of Ireland in which I and a few colleagues here live, north of Athlone and north of the centre of Ireland. There is great potential for further linkages in that area. I would be interested in Mr. Russell's response to that.

In that context, we welcome the Dublin office. A few of the previous speakers addressed the question I was going to raise, which is the degree to which, ironically and paradoxically enough, Brexit has authors and support among very strong unionist people in the UK.

I refer to people who are nationalistic in the context of the UK. Ironically, those people are likely to cause the break-up of the UK. I apologise if the witness has already addressed this issue, because I was slightly late coming in, but what is the timeframe regarding and the level of support for independence in Scotland now? In a post-Brexit context, when is it likely that we might see a referendum which could result in Scottish independence? How quickly might we then see Scotland back in the EU?

In addition, does the witness see trade being slowed and choked up because of the workings of customs processes between the UK and Ireland? Will that situation bring great delays in trade? Turning to the topic of agriculture, what will happen to that sector in the UK now? Is it likely to turn inward and seek to supply the domestic market? Agricultural products from the UK were being exported to Europe. In a post-Brexit situation, if they turn inward, what will be the future for farmers and the agricultural sector in the UK? I thank Mr. Russell.