Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Sinnamon. We are in agreement on that front. We are not seeking to replace the UK as a market. We are looking to move elsewhere also to see those new opportunities as we become more mobile and more global in our approach. It is very positive to hear from Enterprise Ireland that Irish businesses are still very positive about the UK market, that there are a lot of supports there, and that Enterprise Ireland has opened its Manchester office, which is a show of confidence in the UK market. We spent a long time building up strong consumer confidence in the UK. Irish products are trusted. We have the link, which is not just economic. There are so many links between Ireland and the UK that it is a relationship worth protecting and maintaining, and for developing in whatever way it develops.

Ms Sinnamon is right that we spent so long talking about Brexit and, while it has now happened, we are really only three months into this new trading environment. We have still not had the full customs requirement applied, which we expect later this year. It is still very new. It is still bedding in and there will be some teething problems. The purpose of our committee is to assess the initial impacts of Brexit. We will produce our interim report in July. The evidence that all three witnesses have given will be useful in compiling that report, and will form a significant part of the report.

On behalf of the committee members I thank the three witnesses for making themselves available for our meeting, taking questions and engaging candidly with our members. It has been very much appreciated. It has been very worthwhile and we have learned a good deal. I thank Ms Julie Sinnamon, Ms Rowena Dwyer and Mr. Giles O'Neill for their time.

In terms of any other business, we will schedule a private session for a short period to discuss witnesses beyond the Easter break. Our next public meeting will be in committee room 3 on Monday, 19 April, and will commence at 3 p.m. when we will hear from representatives of the Institute of International and European Affairs. If there is no further business the meeting stands adjourned and we will see all the members on that date.