Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I must leave the meeting at 4 p.m. but I will see the responses that come after that on the record. I presume we will be discussing all of the responses in the context of our report later. I join colleagues in welcoming our guests and I thank them for their positive and interesting comments and answers. It is much appreciated. Without going into it again because they did it very elegantly, I concur with what my colleagues, Senators McDowell and Gallagher, said about the improvement of physical infrastructure North and South, access and all that goes with this. I will not repeat what was said but it is of crucial importance.

I will start with agriculture. As we all know, the UK was a major customer for our agricultural exports, notably in beef but throughout dairy and all sectors. Cheese has been mentioned and there is a controversy with this but we will not get into it here as it is sub judice. Agricultural exports are crucial. Consequently, the veterinary agreement on the movement of agricultural products and cheaper movement are important.

I assume it is the view of Mr. McGrane and his colleagues that the veterinary agreement is a very likely outcome. I hope it is. I was going to ask whether there was any doubt about the fact that UK consumers would want our product, and in response to an earlier question Mr. McGrane said they would in preference to anything else. It is important that we are up there and in the market. I hope that with the veterinary agreement, smooth movement and the protocol sorted we will be fit to advantage the entire island.

Do the witnesses have further comments on agriculture? They made some comments about products in the Border area getting to the consumer the next morning. Any further comment they wish to make will be helpful. I am heartened by our discussion on agriculture and I would like to hear the witnesses say whether they believe the veterinary agreement is a likely outcome. I assume and pray it is.

Moving to the theme of green energy, we have great potential, as we all know, for wave energy. Do the witnesses see the UK as a net customer for our green energy? Do they see the reverse? There is a controversial North-South interconnector in the pipeline. Will the witnesses expand on its potential? With regard to how we should look at the climate change Bill in a domestic context as well as internationally, the green agenda does not have to be about impoverishing ourselves. There can be great opportunities in green energy.

With regard to the highly educated young English-speaking workforce, taking Senator McDowell's point that indigenous industry has to be a priority, at the same time it should be an attraction for UK businesses to locate in Ireland and for inward investment from the UK that we have such an educated English-speaking young workforce. Should this assist us in selling services to the UK? Any comment the witnesses have on this would be helpful.

With regard to the protocol, would the witnesses agree that when the protocol is enshrined in international law it is unlikely the UK will persist in its demolition? It would be ideal if we could reach a consensus on how to deal with it and that we could adapt the protocol and, with imaginative terminology and responses, make it work. As we know, it is critical to preventing a hard border between the North and the Republic and causing chaos on our island. It is very important. I ask the witnesses to elaborate further on this.

I have found this meeting highly positive and very worthwhile. It is an exciting vista and it would be stupid of us not to focus very much on this agenda while seeking to break into further markets in Europe and elsewhere. Of course, we will do this but this obvious market in close proximity, with so many elements of kinship, a similar language and educational levels, is not one we can sensibly ignore.