Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank both our guests. They have provided comprehensive and detailed presentations. Like everything in these scenarios, it is a bit of a moveable feast. There is a live dynamic to much of this, so it is really useful for the committee to get as broad a range of information as possible to help to shape and inform our report going forward, as the Chairman referenced.

Several of the final points in Mr. Anderson's written submission relate to the need for a clear and consistent overarching framework to be agreed between both Governments with regard to the recognition of qualifications. He and I have discussed this issue previously. There are arrangements in place between some of the various professional bodies North and South, which is to be welcomed and it is to be hoped there can be more such initiatives. How does Mr. Anderson envisage an overarching framework best being achieved? Would it be delivered through the professional bodies themselves or through statutory and Government agencies? Does the CBI have a list, for example? Obviously, industry, technology, trade, training and everything else is bound to develop and grow in the next couple of years, so how best can it be ensured that this is as clean and coherent a process as possible? It is certainly my hope that the committee will agree that this is something to which we can lend our support in the future. What does Mr. Anderson envisage as the best way to implement such a framework if it were to be agreed tomorrow?