Ms ?rfhlaith Begley:

It is nice to hear from Mr. Powell. We are having a great discussion. I want to pick up on some commentary that I saw on social media before I came to the meeting. It is from Gordon Brown. He said that Britain is at war with the United States over Ireland. He said this with regard to Brexit and in particular with regard to the trade deal. He said it is now likely there will not be a trade deal between the United States and Britain unless the issues regarding Ireland are resolved in the time ahead. I want to get Mr. Powell's perspective on this. I have read that he did some work on the legislation being brought through Westminster by the British Government on the protocol. He commented that it would undermine the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement. What is his thinking on a future trade deal with the United States? How long does he think this will go on? Does he think there will be a solution? It cannot be easy with the current Prime Minister.

The Good Friday Agreement has many elements and aspects that have not yet been implemented. One in particular is the bill of rights for the North. At the time huge focus was placed on human rights and ensuring the protection of all citizens on the island of Ireland and particularly in the North. To date we do not have a bill of rights. The New Decade, New Approach deal sought to establish an ad hoccommittee to oversee and consider implementation of a bill of rights. Unfortunately we do not yet have it. I would like a sense of the discussion at the time of the peace process and the talks with regard to the importance of human rights and in particular the bill of rights.