Ms Michelle Gildernew:

An Taoiseach, Ms O'Donoghue and Mr. Duffy are very welcome to the meeting. Tá fáilte rompu. On my behalf and that of the Sinn Féin MPs, I would like to welcome them to the committee. The Good Friday Agreement and this committee are unique for two reasons. They are very practical but they are also visionary. They provide an opportunity for all the representatives of the people of this island to meet together and deal with issues of common concern, issues that will help improve the quality of people's lives wherever they live in Ireland. They provide a visionary platform for us to look forward and imagine how to move peacefully from where we are now to a new and reunited Ireland. Unfortunately, the unionist MPs do not engage with this committee, although they are very welcome to and we would love to see them. The Taoiseach is right that civic unionism is engaging on these issues. It would engage in a citizens' assembly and would look forward to that opportunity.

I commend the Taoiseach for the shared island unit initiative, which is also making an immediate, valuable and very positive contribution across a wide spectrum of all-Ireland issues that affect people's lives. The unit's all-Ireland framework complements the Good Friday Agreement in so many ways. It has identified key issues and my colleagues will raise questions with the Taoiseach about those issues. I would like to raise a few additional areas of concern, which I think the unit has the capacity, as it evolves, to explore and provide leadership on. I mentioned a citizens' assembly. I would also raise the setting of a date to hold a constitutional referendum on this country's independence. We would also like to look at representation in the Dáil for MPs. We have seen how practical and helpful that is. On a constituency level, I was delighted to hear the Taoiseach talking about an ambitious and practical agenda. I would like to think Tyrone, Fermanagh and the rest of Armagh would be included in that rail network. Obviously, the A5 is a big issue for those of us who live in that community and for any of our Donegal comrades coming through Aughnacloy. The road is certainly not fit for purpose.

An Taoiseach talked about accessible services regionally for cross-Border health and ensuring our constituents across the Border community have better access to health services. As somebody who represents the area the Enniskillen hospital is in, I would love to talk to An Taoiseach about that. I will write to ask for a meeting as I would love to discuss that matter further. That is the future for sustainability in rural communities. There has been a move towards centralisation and we need to ensure people have access to services. There is a lot in there. When discussing health, I would like to think we are also talking about mental health and accessibility for mental health services.

I have worked with Fergal Mythen but I did not know that news about him. I have worked with him for 25 years or more and I would like to take this opportunity to wish him well. He has been a huge help to us in the past and over the decades. I wish him well in the future and in his new role. Gabhaim buíochas leo go léir.