Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. I endorse what my colleague, Senator Gallagher, said about the importance of ensuring the Northern economy benefits from every opportunity presented now. In that context, it is welcome that there was an increase in North-South trade in January, if I understood the presentation correctly. That is a good news story and hopefully it will continue.

I turn to the issue raised consistently and eloquently by Senator Ó Donnghaile. It concerns the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. I know Senator Ó Donnghaile asked a question on this issue but I missed some of it, so I ask the witnesses to understand if I repeat parts of it. I understand from the presentation that ten arrangements for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications have already been made and around 100 further such arrangements need to be put in place. As I understand it, the point made by the witnesses was that an overarching agreement between the two Governments is necessary to achieve and agree broadly on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications and ensure the position is no different from what it was pre-Brexit. That should not be insurmountable and unachievable.

It is my view that, as a committee, we should make this a keynote element of our report and pursue it very strongly. Meanwhile, the individual professional areas can continue making mutual recognition arrangements. However, I believe that if an overarching agreement would deliver recognition, moves should be made to achieve one. Have any moves already been made in this area and, if so, to what extent have they succeeded? If they have not succeeded, why is that the case? I would have expected this to be a major priority. I apologise if Senator Ó Donnghaile has already asked this question, but I missed part of his question.