Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Lord Empey very much for his constructive engagement with the committee. If I can pick him up on his contribution, the most important thing he has said was one of the final things, which is that we work together to improve our trade and develop our economies by successfully continuing the interactions which people like him started with tourism, trade and so on. The other emphasis I noted, if I have picked him up correctly, is in respect of the North-South bodies, which are not working at the moment. Those can be the forums, if that is agreed, and if we can find ways that do not challenge the constitutional concerns which unionists may have. If we can work together to grow our economy, increase our jobs, provide better opportunities for young people and if we do that successfully for the next 25 years, we will be doing very well.

I will return to Mickey Brady, if I may. One thing that struck me about different things North and South, and he can correct me if I am wrong on this, is that the old age pension in the North is approximately £149 and in the South here it is about €258, so there is a very significant difference there. There is a great deal of convergence which we need in many different areas. Does Lord Empey wish to make a final comment?