Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with my colleague, Senator Robbie Gallagher, on the impact on the Border areas. We share the same constituency on the Border quite amiably and certainly so between elections.

The cross-border healthcare directive has been hugely successful. The participation levels established that. Ms Catherine Donohue nailed it in the kind of people she identified who are using it. That is a vital dimension.

I would like to see progress on the permanent replacement with no gaps between it. How will that be achieved?

The one way one will achieve a united Ireland - we all aspire to that in our different ways - is to establish areas of co-operation and normalisation of relations. Health is an obvious one. That is seen as part of it. It was mentioned that there is still co-operation with Altnagelvin Area Hospital. Will the witnesses comment on how this is going forward with cross-border healthcare?

Quite apart from the cross-border directive, on direct input and co-operation in general in public health and hospitals along the Border, I note the point well made by Mr. O'Connor that in emergencies there is a contingency plan to share facilities. That is how it should be. That is great. However, I would be interested to hear how Mr. O'Connor sees ongoing co-operation developing, whether it could be a victim of Brexit, if so, how could it be remedied from the point of view of our report, and if it will not be a victim of Brexit, if Mr. O'Connor can detail any of it. I thank Mr. O'Connor and our guests.