Ms Naoimh McNamee:

The Senator referred to Brexit. In his previous question the Senator asked about Northern Ireland society being divided and a Border division again. Obviously, Ms McGlone comes from that area. Brexit has forced the issue of identity to the fore again. Identity is a very complex issue and a very strong part of the conflict in the North. It was very eloquently dealt with in the Good Friday Agreement in that people could be British or Irish or both. With Brexit it has forced this back into a black and white realm where people must choose. All of the conversations about the protocol or about Article 16 have had a big impact on how relations have broken down and people have gone back into their camps, and in our experience this has been around the issue of identity and being forced to choose. I just wanted to make that point.

On the Senator's question about a shared understanding, I would agree absolutely with Ms McGlone that it is probably not going to happen, and it is not necessarily likely. I would also say, however, that it does not need to happen if there is a shared commitment and understanding of where we want to get to, as in a peaceful future and living well together and - going back to the Senator's previous comment - not front loading the destination of what that is going to look like, and having that commitment to actually engage with one another. There is no issue with people having their different narratives once they are prepared to listen and engage with one another.

With all of the work and momentum, and the sense of pushing a boulder up the hill with the peace process and its implementation, Brexit has been one of the most disturbing factors in that whole process since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Again, it is the issue of identity and people going back into their camps. We have experienced this as people being less likely to engage and they may have stepped back a little bit. Much more work is needed to be done on a more one-to-one basis. A lot more patience is required in certain areas. It is two steps forward and one step back, at times. It is about tenacity, determination and patience for moving forward with that. Glencree supporting people with that is of paramount importance to us.

I shall now turn to the issue of social media and those relationships, the different things that happen from a political perspective such as announcements from the EU or commentary from British or Irish politicians, and the impact it has on people's willingness to come to the table. Things may be taken out of context or may have been said in the heat of the moment. The impact this has behind the scenes on people's willingness to talk or engage cannot be overestimated. This is something we deal with on a regular basis. Because of the nature of the centre with regard to confidentiality and subtlety, we are able to go in and repair those relationships where possible. It is a long process and there have been many setbacks over the years since the Brexit vote. It is difficult but it is about the strong commitment to keep moving forward and a commitment to the peace process.