Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Murphy for his presentation and comments; they are always extremely useful and enlightening in terms of the activities, not just the ECA, but the EU as whole. It gives us a great idea of Ireland's contribution and responsibility.

I have a couple of questions. The first is a general one that is not necessarily specific to the court, but it is in the whole general area of EU jobs and how to encourage Irish people to take up roles in the European institutions. Drawing not just on the position that Mr. Murphy holds now, but the decades of experience he has had across both the ECA and the Commission, what insights might he have in terms of how we can continue to potentially address the slide of Irish people taking up these possible roles.

I have three specific questions on the annual report. Mr. Murphy referenced the latter ones but I will go straight to my first one. He said that this year 59% of EU spending is considered a high risk. That is up from 53% in 2019. Can he elaborate on that? Is this something that needs to be addressed?

I have two questions on my old hobby horse of Brexit. Many others will have questions on Covid response and vaccines, so I will stick true to form, if that is all right. In the so-called divorce bill, the UK is due to pay the EU an estimated €47.5 billion. Can Mr. Murphy give clarity on that figure? Is there a timeline for receiving this and is it a suite of payments or something else? Is this budgeted for it?

Mr. Murphy has no concerns on the Brexit adjustment reserve. This is obviously something that is hugely important for Ireland. It is very important that we receive the almost €1 billion. We see the areas that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is working with a whole-of-government approach. There are quite obvious areas that will need assistance such as the agrifood sector, and logistics and access to the island. Could he elaborate on the concern that it could be spent on ineligible or suboptimal measures? We discussed this much, both at this committee and at various stages through the budget discussion and when we have line Ministers in and through parliamentary questions. Just before Christmas, both Deputy Howlin and I raised questions in the context of Rosslare Europort. The argument that I would make is that out of all the 27 member states, Ireland is the most prepared for Brexit. I do not think there will be any suboptimal measures budgeted for in that reserve, but perhaps an abundance of caution - a term we like to use in many areas - is the theme here.

On that note, I once again would like to thank Mr. Murphy and his team for coming before us and their continuing work. I look forward to having him in Dublin again sooner rather than later, and also getting to Luxembourg in due course.