Mr. Bertie Ahern:

The united Ireland or new Ireland question will work its way through. What is certain is that Brexit made the issue far more lively. There is far more work, debate and academic studies going on. The ESRI has done work and that base will continue. I cannot say whether it is closer, but it has certainly made it a more real debate. The Senator knows my view. Rushing this issue the wrong thing to do. It has to be worked out in time and debated.

The Senator's second question is interesting. I refer to European issues.

I remember the great Dr. Paisley would give out about everything about the Irish Government until it came to a European issue on agriculture, where he would be the first man into the room to participate in debate on CAP reform or fisheries reform. He was able to distinguish. I think a bit of that will happen now, where our MEPs – whoever is elected in a month – will be able to assist with a lot of Northern issues. There is close contact, for example, between the CBI, IBEC and the farmers. Farmers are particularly good at this. Farmers and fisheries North and South are good at keeping contact. I think on European issues, they will probably find that they will be asked to argue these cases. The only good thing out of Brexit is the position Northern Ireland now finds itself in. It is in the European Union for goods. It is in the British economy and the Irish economy. It is in a unique position. Anything that helps or assists it, including whatever role we can play in helping it in Europe, is a good thing and a good thing for it.