Mr. Colin McGrath:

The health connections that existed across the island were very well received and were well used. People feel like something has been taken from them which allowed them to access life-saving treatment. In the many and various conditions which people might have, there is not the critical mass of people within the North, and sometimes within the South, to be able to provide the right level of clinics and support. If we can bring our communities together, we do get that critical mass of people who can detail and use the services. I am thinking, for example, of the children's heart surgery that many people in the North used in the South. It makes common sense for families to be able to travel and for support to be provided, so that people can use and access those services across the island, rather than having get on aeroplanes and fly to other parts of the UK through what can be a traumatic and frightening time for people.

I would like efforts to be made to bring those services back online. I am sure Ms Anderson and Ms Sheerin will attest to the fact that it was an issue on which many people contacted us, wishing to know whether they would be able to access those health services. Those who contacted us knew of other people who were able to get help and assistance a bit more quickly. That is something on which our committees could shine a light, be it candlelight, full torchlight or whatever. It is something that our committees can do and on which we should continue to come together.

It is good to see Senator Ó Donnghaile again. He probably lives only just down the road from me but we normally only encounter each other at events such as this. However, these events have not been taking place recently. Covid does-----