Ms Gillian Coughlan:

The Sligo region has been involved with the Welsh regional assemblies. There has been some really good collaboration down through time. Again, it is about best practice. Especially post Brexit, the wish is that those relationships would be strengthened. They are our nearest neighbours at the southern region. That has been done very well.

At our most recent meeting, there was a presentation about some research on some of our skills shortages in the southern region and looking at how we could link with our diaspora to fulfil some of these skills shortages. There is certainly a transnational element to our research, funding and planning for the future in the southern region. I know that work with the Welsh has been ongoing and has been very beneficial even as regards language and minority languages. There is great scope for that in a post-Brexit situation.

Obviously, as a member of the Committee of the Regions, as a group and a delegation we are looking at best practice across Europe, learning from it and bringing it back to the regional assemblies and speaking about it. It is not formalised and it would be nice if it were joined up.