Conor Murphy (Sinn Fein)

I again thank the ambassador for his engagement this morning. It was a full and frank engagement, as is always the case with him. I wish him well in his retirement. We have had the opportunity this morning to talk on a number of categories. Although a huge range of issues were covered, generally speaking it was on legacy, the general approach taken by the British Government and many individual cases, not least the Sean Brown case. We talked about Brexit-related issues, which are and will remain ongoing for economic growth throughout the island and the need to mitigate against those matters and also the issues around the full implementation of the agreement and the lessons from the Good Friday Agreement, not only for this island and the relationship between our islands, but how those can be applied and how it is incumbent on the British Government to recognise that when dealing with such issues as the Middle East and Gaza, as well as the need for ceasefires and peacebuilding in other parts of the world, given the experience we have had.

Perhaps the most important issue for us as a committee in relation to the Good Friday Agreement is making sure of its ongoing full implementation. The ambassador himself acknowledged the constitutional debate that is ongoing. We are facing into the most significant change since the Good Friday Agreement and it is necessary for both Governments, as co-guarantors to the Good Friday Agreement, to make sure that is the template that will be followed through as we discuss and implement constitutional change on the islands. I thank him once again for his contribution and his input.