Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Ivory for his presentation. I also thank Mr. Willoughby and IBEC more generally for the information that is given to business and to Members of the Oireachtas around the impact on business. I was glad that Dr. Ivory mentioned the importance of getting arrangements concerning the free flow of data. I have concerns that if there is not a clear data regime in place in the UK, that will have long-term implications here, particularly for the services sector. Dr. Ivory might talk a bit more on that.

I will throw out a couple of questions which are looking into the future and at what will happen with business. I am from Wexford and Rosslare has experienced a long-overdue boom in traffic as a result of Brexit. Will Dr. Ivory comment on the infrastructure at our ports that we need to develop to ensure we can further realise the potential of those ports, particularly Rosslare? Will he talk about IBEC's plans for marketing Ireland? As an English-speaking, pro-European member of the European Union, we will be an attractive destination, particularly for services but for foreign direct investment generally. Will Dr. Ivory outline how IBEC will help to promote that and what Government should do? Dr. Ivory did not mention skills. In relation to customs and so on, are there identifiable skills shortages as a result of Brexit that Government should address? Are there such shortages on the part of business?

I will talk about the importance of international trade agreements. In a post-Brexit scenario, it is increasingly important for the EU to further develop as many trade agreements as we can, including, in my view, the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement, CETA, with Canada. Will Dr. Ivory comment on why those trade agreements are important?