Mr. Bertie Ahern:

That is the only statement we have heard, regardless of whether it will happen.

It would be a pity. The EU did a good job last October. It was a good opening position, one on which we could have seen serious negotiation. I was at a meeting in Brussels approximately a month ago that was organised by Mr. Barry Andrews, MEP, and attended by all of the parties in the North. They spent a full day and the night before with Mr. Maroš Šefovi discussing the issues. The EU had set out in good detail what it thought were fair issues. It had dealt with the issue of medicines - that was out of the protocol altogether - and it was prepared to make changes within the protocol. It had examined the trusted traders initiative whereby there could be a red box to try to deal with the internal trade position, which seemed to be the DUP's difficulty.

There are many positives, but to answer the Deputy's question directly, it takes two to tango. If the British Government does not enter into discussions, it is difficult to see an outcome. I hope the next British Prime Minister and the relevant officials can get down to the renegotiations. Realistically, though, it is difficult to see much happening before Friday week. We will have to see where that brings us.