Dr. Stephen Farry:

Good afternoon. I will start with a few observations before asking a couple of questions.

From a Northern perspective, we are taking an increasingly envious look at some of the economic indicators in the South, including the productivity gap and overall skills level. The level of educational achievement is better in the South now. We are particularly envious of the South's current budget surplus in comparison with our budget crisis. I would be interested in discovering how sustainable Mr. McDonnell thinks that is.

On the issue of retained EU law, it looks like the Government in London has had a bit of a rethink and is not seeking to repeal as much as it was. It is not taking a broad-brush approach so much as a more selective one. This represents some positive progress although the Bill remains fundamentally flawed from top to bottom. The Windsor Framework will give us some degree of protection even if there is a different tack in London on deregulation, although there are some issues regarding Article 2 of the protocol on the non-diminution of the Good Friday Agreement rights.

Let me touch on a couple of other angles, the first being the border operating model that is about to come into effect for Great Britain and the extent to which it will become a barrier for exports. I know this broader question has been touched on already but does Mr. McDonnell envisage any risk potential regarding the diversion of trade flows through Northern Ireland into Great Britain? Is that something businesses are talking about?

On a different tack, namely, the development of the all-island economy, we have seen considerable progress on goods. The Windsor Framework gives protection in this regard but there is still significant room for further development. By contrast, in terms of the service economy, which is not covered by the Windsor Framework and protocol, is there an increase in problems related to how small businesses in the South interact with small businesses in Northern Ireland? I am referring to access to professional services, in particular. I am conscious that solicitors, accountants and others may well have been doing work for clients on both sides of the Border. Is the position in this regard being compromised to a certain extent by the limited basis of the EU–UK TCA? Are there particular pressures regarding the mutual recognition of qualifications, for example? Will this become a growing problem over the coming years unless we see some effort to address it?