Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses sincerely for coming in to talk to us and sharing their experiences and expertise. These conversations are 100% vitally important and the presence of the witnesses is vital. It is daunting often for most people to come as witnesses to any parliamentary committee, but to come into one in a different jurisdiction can be quite daunting, so I thank the witnesses for coming in.

I will not ask any specific questions individually. I would like to ask one general question and perhaps everybody could give an answer to it. What I picked up today is that this has to be an inclusive discussion and dialogue is vital – 100%. We are here to hear what the witnesses have to say.

I always have a little bit of concern. A border poll could be called at any time. The Secretary of State could call a border poll and we do not know what the criteria are for a border poll. The Secretary of State could call one at any time. That is why these discussions are vital and we need to be prepared. I think it was Ms Grundle who commented on Brexit and the horrific, awful stuff that happened around it. We have to be prepared and that is why these discussions are important. We want and need to hear what the witnesses are saying. I think it was Mr. Moore who said that a clear position has never been laid out in front of him. I remember being at an event related to it being 20 or 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement a few years ago. There was somebody sitting on the panel from a unionist background who said nobody came to them and asked them what they thought or talked to them about it. However, that is what we want to do. We want to hear the witnesses’ thoughts and how they feel. That is why it is important.

How do the witnesses see this progress? How can we bring with us those young people that somebody mentioned who are scared and frightened and will go out and react in a violent way? How can we have that dialogue with them to let us hear what they have to say? I would love to hear what they have to say.