Ms Emma Sheerin:

What Mr. McGrath touched on at the beginning of his contribution is key. It probably goes to the heart of the conversation that has been had around the protocol since the beginning of the year. Unionist politicians are telling us that X, Y or Z is wrong with the protocol. An awful lot of the time, they are conflating their own concerns or worries about the state of the union or the constitutional position with the protocol risking identity. We know that because of the Good Friday Agreement, our identities are protected as they are. The protocol does not risk anyone's right to be British. That is where we are seeing a bit of people playing politics and things being twisted or manipulated. Deputy Calleary's idea is a good one. I am not sure who came up with it but Deputy Calleary obviously made reference to it. What Mr. McGrath said is key, however. Constituents are not contacting me about issues with the protocol. The vast majority of constituents who contacted me with initial concerns or worries worked through them and have had those problems sorted out.

There were some issues with documentation and the filling out of forms, and concerns about certain forms that the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs was supposed to provide but people had to go and get themselves. I am referring to common health entry document checks and things like that. Outside of that, however, the vast majority of people who contacted me are largely going about their business and are not being impacted by the protocol. Mr. McGrath's assessment is correct and that is what I am also finding.

I know I was late arriving this morning and I apologise. It is regrettable, however, that we are not seeing any unionist representation here. A person who is not at the table cannot have his or her say and that is unfortunate.