Mr. Mickey Brady:

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I am not the new generation, but very much the old generation. However, I am relatively new to politics. I was first elected to the Assembly in 2007 and then to Westminster in 2015. I represent the constituency of Newry and Armagh, which is a Border constituency. I think we are the second largest constituency in the North. I am pleased to hear so many diverse views from the witnesses. It might be worth pointing out that I have never been a councillor, but I do not know if that is a good or bad thing. In my experience of working with councillors, though, I have found them to be the front line of any political party and often the first port of call for constituents. Therefore, it is interesting to hear the views of the witnesses on many subjects.

Ms Begley made the point that many aspects of the Good Friday Agreement have not yet been implemented. Human rights and all those types of issues must still be addressed. We are also dealing to a great extent now with legacy issues. That element affects my generation much more so than that of the witnesses. I grew up during the 1950s and there was a campaign from 1956 right through. I lived through much conflict, therefore, and I am grateful to have seen the advent of the Good Friday Agreement. Some may view it as an agreement reached in a room by elite politicians, but the reality is that it has brought a great degree of peace to our society. I suppose other issues are more relevant now such as the protocol. I would like the views of the witnesses on that aspect, as well as the whole concept of Brexit and its effects. I ask that because in my constituency we have seen the advantages of the protocol. For example, one company is now able to export to nine European countries that it did not previously. The protocol has also been an advantage in respect of local food sources and similar aspects. Many, if not all, of the witnesses also referred to integrated education. I would like their views on how that endeavour might be implemented. I will leave my contribution there, because I think I have covered a fair wee bit of questioning.