Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Delaney. Much of the ground has been already covered in terms of the opening statements and responses to questions from Senators Joe O'Reilly and Gallagher, but I would like to ask a couple of questions. We have heard of other products and supply chains on the island being disrupted by Brexit. There is some evidence to show that supply chains have adjusted somewhat, that trade North-South has increased and that trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain has reduced a little. In terms of the products under discussion, are those who are purchasing looking to other locations? Are they moving ahead because of the concern that this is not being addressed as quickly as it needs to be?

On the national medicines reserve which is mentioned in the document, are the witnesses in a position to give the committee a little more information on that? I take the point about there being an oil reserve but not a medicines reserve and that we need, perhaps, to adjust our priorities somewhat. Given what we have been through, there is definitely merit in that argument. We do need to look at this, particularly given our neighbours have already moved ahead on it. I would welcome further detail on why we do not have a medicines reserve, if there are motions in train to put one in place and what putting that in place might entail?