Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I had a technical problem. I would first like to issue a warm welcome to our colleagues from the North; it is great to hear their voices. It is somewhat unfortunate that the development of last night seems to have dominated the discussion this morning, and rightly so. We would hope, when temperatures cool, that the issue can be resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Like Senator Joe O'Reilly, I too come from a Border constituency. I was born in Donegal and now live in Monaghan. We have a unique understanding of what life was like for those of us who have lived on the Border all our lives. I am somewhat disappointed that we do not have any unionist voices on the call this morning. That is the first challenge that this committee faces. We need to encourage all voices to join in. I see this particular process as a threat to no one. We are public representatives who represent the people of all the island on issues such as health, education, transport or whatever. One of our Northern friends, I think it was Ms Sheerin, made reference to the relationship that is ongoing between Letterkenny University Hospital and Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Derry. That has been going on for a while to the benefit of citizens on both sides of the Border and is working very well.

I would like to see such schemes rolled out in more detail across various parts of the North because that is the kind of co-operation that is needed, whether it be in the areas of education, transport, environment or whatever. We all live on a small island and have the same difficulties. This committee can progress any of those issues. It would be doing a good day's work if it were to do so.

On the issue of the lack of unionist voices, I know the Chairman outlined that this is our first meeting with our colleagues from the Northern Ireland Assembly and it may be conflicting with other meetings. I would like a big effort to be made to encourage all voices to participate in meetings of this committee. As I stated, the committee is not a threat to anybody.

I think Senator Wall was the first attendee to refer to the cross-border healthcare directive. It is another example of cross-Border co-operation that has benefitted the citizens of the country, that there would be people from the South travelling to the North or people from the North travelling to the South. Although there is a transitional arrangement in place from now until the end of the year, which I welcome, I see it as a window of opportunity for us to expand on that and put a more long-term process in position. I am confident that we will manage to do so. We, as a committee, could shortlist two or three issues that we can see progressed. A cross-Border healthcare agreement would be No. 1 on such a list because it is the kind of seamless co-operation that people need. People in need of healthcare are able to access it and they do not care where they have to go to do so. I have spoken to people from as far away as County Kerry who went to Belfast to get an eye procedure. It was the first time the individual from County Kerry to whom I spoke had ever been in the North. I am sure there have been similar situations in Northern Ireland whereby people who may not have previously been to the South went there to receive treatment for a health issue. That is very positive and the more of that we do, the better.

I will not keep the witnesses too long. We have covered a significant amount this morning. It has been a very good and worthwhile exercise. It is one I would like us to carry out every quarter or perhaps three times per year, depending on what members deem suitable. I would like every effort to be made to ensure that all voices would be represented on the next occasion. I know we have spent a lot of time this morning looking back and discussing how we got to where we are this morning. None of us can change the past, but we can help to shape the future. I think the efforts of this committee should be directed 100% in that area.