Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Congressman Neal to this committee. I thank him for making himself available to engage with us. Congressman Neal is chairman of the US House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee and is joining us with the assistance of the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Mark Daly, who made the arrangements. I thank the Cathaoirleach. We appreciate the engagement. It is a crucial time for Ireland with the Brexit process. I know that Mr. Neal is acutely aware, as a friend of Ireland, of the implications of Brexit for Ireland with regard to our economy and society, the Good Friday Agreement and peace on this island. I invite Mr. Neal to make an opening statement and then we will open it to the floor to take some questions and have some engagement.