Mr. Colin McGrath:

Going back to a couple of points that were made and following on from Ms Anderson's perspective, with regard to Northern representation, we are taking into account the realities of the structures. We can make noise about the need for that but, unfortunately, we do not have much sway to ask for it because it will have to be a decision taken between the UK and the EU. Therefore, we would welcome support from the committee and the Irish Government in the EU to ask for it from that side, which could then be matched on the UK side. I do not foresee the UK having any problems with that, if we were to have a formalised voice about decisions taken about us, if we could impress on the EU the absolute need for that. With regard to lobbying for that, we are in a position of asking but we are not at the table when that decision will actually be taken.

With the other structures, such as citizens' assemblies, interparliamentary committees and various opportunities for us to participate, we have to face a glaring reality. That reality is that unionism is not engaging with any of those structures in any substantial way. Doug Beattie has attended various things. He is the vice chair of this committee but he has his eye on other issues.

This dovetails into what I want to say, which is that unionism is in crisis. The fact that both parties are now seeking new leaders suggests that there is a will in those parties to go in new and fresh directions. That crisis is there. We will have to manage it at the other end when they elect their new leadership. I hope it will be leadership that will be prepared to acknowledge that there are realities and problems, that there will need to be cool heads, and that discussion and interaction will deliver results that people need. Hopefully, when the new leadership is in place, it will be a unionism that is prepared to accept the current realities. I could be cheeky and say that they caused what has happened because they voted for Brexit, which all these issues arise as a result of. The reality is that we are where we are and we have to work our way forward. Hopefully some new leadership in unionism will help in the period ahead.