Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I thank the members for their contribution. On behalf of the committee I thank H. E. Mr. Paul Johnston, British ambassador to Ireland for his engagement today and for discussing a wide range of issues with members of the committee. I also thank Ms Michelle Lacriarde, first secretary, and Sarah Mohipp, second secretary, for their attendance today and for engaging with the committee.

In a note on parliamentary privilege for members, before we begin I remind members of the constitutional requirement that in order to participate in public meetings, members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex. Members of the committee attending remotely must do so from the precincts of Leinster House. This is due to the constitutional requirement that in order to participate in public meetings, members must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit. In that regard, I ask members partaking via MS Teams that prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm they are here on the grounds of Leinster House.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to the identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such directions. MPs participating in this committee session from a jurisdiction outside of the State are advised they should also be mindful of their domestic laws and how they may apply in their proceedings.

I thank His Excellency very much for his participation here this morning. It was a very robust and good engagement. However, in advance of his own departure from his role in September, I would like to put on the public record my thanks and appreciation to him and that of our committee here for all of the work he has done in his tenure as ambassador since 2020. The relationship between our two countries is a very significant one for all of us on the island and for the people of both islands. The Good Friday Agreement has transformed the way in which it is possible to deal with these issues as they arise on a basis of consultation and co-operation. In recent years, we have needed the ability to talk frankly to each other as neighbours and friends on both political and economic issues. In that context, I particularly thank and pay tribute to Mr. Johnston for the role he has carried out as British ambassador here in Ireland. He has maintained dialogue and understanding in all his engagements with the Government and the Oireachtas here and with a wide range of stakeholders. On the issue of stakeholders, I note the amount of ground he covered. He has gone to every corner of the country and really has made a great effort to engage right across Ireland. That has been appreciated. That strengthened his presence here in Ireland, while engaging with members of the Oireachtas as well.

I am pleased of course that we are not losing him and that he has chosen not to depart these lands. I wish him and his wife, Nicola, all the very best in their stay here in Ireland. On behalf of the committee, I thank him again for all the work he has carried out to strengthen the relations between our two countries throughout his time here in Ireland. I wish the ambassador and Nicola all the very best in the future.

Would the ambassador like to say few words?