Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Powell is very welcome to the committee and we are delighted he could join us to discuss the important piece of work we are doing at the committee in trying to establish as many facts as possible regarding the coming together of the Good Friday Agreement. Before I even go there, we could spend a day talking to him about what is going on with the Northern Ireland protocol. He outlined the situation with the current British administration and the breakdown in relations. We in Ireland find this to be an extraordinary time.

Mr. Powell was involved at a time when relations were at their strongest over the past 100 years. It is pertinent that he brings that up, but I want to talk about the protocol. Businesses in Northern Ireland are feeling the strain because trade on a North-South and east-west basis has never been better, and reality is that the Northern Ireland economy has never been better. The fear is that there is an effort to pull Northern Ireland back in line with the UK economy because Northern Ireland is so successful. It has become a good example of alignment with the EU. If Northern Ireland is compared with the rest of the UK, it is a good example of one region that is doing well. Look at the economy in areas controlled by those who caused Brexit. It is a case of one versus the other. The people in the North are very fearful that the British Government will damage the economy. It is a worrying time.

As I said, the Good Friday Agreement was a fantastic achievement by everyone involved, including the UK and Irish Governments, all of the parties in Northern Ireland and the American Administration. Many background meetings took place. We need to acknowledge what it took to, for once in our lifetime, get people to come to the table, speak openly, honestly and with respect for each other and get an agreement done. We need to remember the work involved in the lead in to the agreement and how long the negotiations went on for.

How did we get a UK Prime Minister who was so keen to work with an Irish Prime Minister? The relationship between Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern was key. How did that come about? Tony Blair took a keen interest in the agreement and was very positive about trying to make it happen. He worked closely with all involved. Could Mr. Powell give us some background information on that?