Dr. Stephen Farry:

I thank the Chairman. I welcome the Taoiseach and thank him for joining us. Like Ms Hanna I am taking a short break from the election campaign in Northern Ireland. I stress at the outset I very much value the work of the shared island unit. Notwithstanding wider political and constitutional discussions people wish to have and engage with, on a practical level there remain significant opportunities and stark deficits with the practical, socioeconomic and environmental co-operation on the island. Regardless of whatever else happens there is an ongoing piece of work there to fully capitalise in that regard. I highlight the environmental skills piece in particular and ask for a comment on the potential for the island rail network, especially the Belfast-Dublin corridor, but beyond that as well.

I also ask the Taoiseach to comment on a couple of wider issues. The first one expands from the shared island unit's day-to-day work and ties in with Brexit and the protocol. Much of the focus has been on issues around the Irish Sea interface and the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland but I am also conscious Brexit imposes a border on the island with the delivery of services and also freedom of movement. I would be interested in the Taoiseach's thoughts on what could be done bilaterally by the jurisdictions to try to compensate for the, shall we say, very low level of engagement in the Trade and Co-operation Agreement, given both are key elements of our mutual economies. Indeed, we have talked previously of an all-island economy in services that has been somewhat disrupted. There are issues around mutual recognition of qualifications that are critical in that regard.

On the wider Brexit piece, there is increasing speculation and fear the UK Government may be on the brink of doing something reckless on a unilateral basis on the protocol. Perhaps the Taoiseach can comment on how the Government is going to respond, if that proves to be the case in the next few weeks, to try to ensure the focus is on mutually-agreed outcomes rather than unilateral action. As a final point, returning to the election campaign in Northern Ireland, we are very conscious that while we hope there will be a swift return of the government in Northern Ireland we recognise there may be delays. To what extent can the UK and Irish Governments work once again in partnership as they did on New Decade, New Approach, if their good offices are required to try to bring the parties together after the election?