Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank both Ms O'Connell and Mr. O'Shea for the very good presentation and for the ongoing work of EMI.

If it is okay, I want to go back and ask about polling. It was stated that a large number say they do not understand the protocol, which Ms O'Connell indicated is of concern. However, is that a surprise, considering that the vast majority of people who negotiated the protocol in the UK do not seem to understand it either, based on how it is being implemented and their approach?

My second question relates to the direction of the EU. To be honest, this question is probably a bit more serious. While I welcome the finding on the percentage of people who are happy with the direction, is this the space that the Conference on the Future of Europe - at which the witnesses represented the citizens of Ireland so well - needs to fill? I do not believe many of the 50-odd recommendations from the conference will address that, but I will highlight a number of them, for example, the recommendation that more aspects of health be made a European competence and the recommendation that a greater focus be placed on where co-operation can deliver tangible results for European citizens. Mr. O'Shea mentioned enthusiastic and idealistic young people. In a roundabout way, in order to get hold of the direction of the European Union, does the conference lead to a convention that will lead, in due course, to treaty change and a referendum in this jurisdiction?