Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise because I did not hear the opening statements live. I welcome Dr. Barrett and Dr. Lawless and thank them for being here. It is a fascinating development, particularly for a person from the Border region, to see this great increase in North-South trade. I take the point about there being a similar diminution in east-west trade, because as Dr. Lawless said, Northern Ireland cannot deal with every requirement and there is also a focus outside to Europe. It is a fascinating development. It is amazing how events change things. Who would have anticipated this some time ago? I take the point that the ESRI is not in the business of discussing the politics but there are obvious political implications.

There was tangential reference earlier to the regulatory changes around veterinary standards and harmonisation. It suggests the Commissioner, Mr. Šefovi, has removed 80% of the east-west problems and difficulties with the protocol and the flow of trade. This may have been discussed, and I have the disadvantage of not having heard all of the earlier discussion, but I would be fascinated to know how Mr. Šefovi's interventions could affect the new North-South dynamic. Could it refocus some of the trade? If so, how much? I know it is all very speculative.

If the doomsday nuclear option of Article 16 is pressed, what are some of the implications? It might be too amorphous or unclear but I am interested.

Will the witnesses speculate on what the implications will be for the Border region? Historically, because of the conflict and all that went with it, the Border region did not develop as well as the rest of the country and there is a differential in income, prosperity and opportunity. Does the new dynamic or, say, dispensation have great potential for the Border region?

It is great that the witnesses are here. I read their paper just now and it is fascinating. We were aware of it in broad-stroke terms but the sheer volume and extent of the shift is phenomenal and raises questions on east-west trade. When we had informal meetings with UK colleagues, both sides would stress the importance of our trade with the UK, but this is a whole new dynamic. I am interested in how it will impact the area I come from and the island in general in socioeconomic terms. I do not expect the witnesses to comment on the political play-out. The paper did refer to the Taoiseach's special fund, the shared island fund, and how there may be linkages between that and some industrial development or stimulation of opportunity in the context of improved trade. How might that play out?