Mr. Martin Konený:

I will try to be brief to allow time for Mr. Lovatt to reply. Doing what the Deputy has suggested would be very useful. What the Government can do specifically is maybe not simply to express support for the database, which would be useful, but, most importantly, look for practical solutions with regard to ensuring the continued updating of the database. That includes the issue of the budget for the UN to be able to do this. It is about the Irish Government, along with other governments, reaching out to other member states and the UN secretariat in Geneva to jointly look for a solution in terms of how this globally important work can be continued. I am sure practical solutions can be found as long as there is a little bit of political will.

Another issue worth considering is whether to focus only on the database or to also focus on the broader set of issues we are raising in this conversation and in our paper. It may be the case that discussing with the Government how the differentiation policy can be advanced more broadly, looking at several specific issues, of which the database is one, could be even more interesting and productive.