Mr. Niall Cody:

We would have no difficulty with providing most of the information because most of it comprises economic statistics around the process. I can look at providing particular aspects of the papers. The statistics are probably already in the public domain. We can certainly put a package together for the committee but one of the challenges we face, which will continue over the next number of years, is that we do not know the nature of the final agreement between the European Commission, the EU and the UK. We are trying to influence that process. We are trying to support the Departments of An Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Finance with our analysis of some aspects but this will ultimately have to be agreed with the European Commission and it would not be helpful to lay it bare at this stage. There are certain issues that are particularly difficult. If one were to ask the European Commission's tax and customs authorities about what the scale of the simplification could be - at the right time, with suitable clarity - one may get the answer that one wants. However, if one asks a question baldly like "what is the treatment?", one may be told nothing. One can get cornered. I assure the Deputy that our efforts are aimed at ensuring that the free flow of trade on this island and support for Irish businesses in carrying on their activities is continued.

We have a track record of delivering. We have to analyse what is possible and then we have to look at innovative IT solutions. We are not second in terms of the ease of our customs procedures in the EU by accident. That required a lot of work. If we started some of that process before we had it fully worked out, that would be problematic. The difficulty with these types of arrangements is that they are ultimately within a goldfish bowl. They are very visible and sometimes we need the freedom to do the preparatory work until we have conclusions. We have no problem with coming before this committee at any time to talk about these matters when we have fully worked out our position.

Two of the presentations-----