Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein)
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I apologise for missing the first part of the Commissioner's presentation. I am in the convention centre. It is probably easier to get the technological side of things sorted in Brussels than it is in the convention centre, but sin scéal eile.

I did hear the Commissioner reiterate a message of regret regarding Brexit and the fallout from it. As someone who comes from and lives in the North, and has been elected to the Seanad, I am acutely aware of the negative fallout from Brexit, not least in the context of the North having voted against it.

We heard various sectors reaffirming clear support for the Northern protocol at a meeting of this committee as recently as yesterday. The Commissioner touched on that matter. It is important to remember and reiterate that the vast majority of people, organisations, business sectors and stakeholders in the North are supportive of the protocol and that is the pre-eminent position of a range of society. It is, as I say, important to reiterate that point.

The issue of engagement has come to the fore recently from the sectors and key stakeholders. Representatives of the dairy and whiskey sectors were before the committee yesterday. They feel like they are banging their heads against a wall. I wonder how damaging the loss of the EU office and the Commission presence in the North has been. Is there anything we can look at, whether from the perspective of trade and co-operation or a citizens' rights perspective, in order to try to make up some of the lost ground? We know there was political controversy, the British Government refused the EU's request for an office and all of that. I do not think that should put an end to us trying to solidify, reaffirm, improve and tweak the level of engagement where it is needed. I am concerned that sectors are starting to feel that they do not have the same level of weight and breakthrough to the Commission and the EU institutions. I am also concerned that the clear majority view in support of the protocol is not getting the lift that it warrants.

Perhaps the Commissioner will take the opportunity to explain why the protocol is supported by so many people, the reason it is in place and the reason we need it to remain in place, going forward, if she has not already done so. I apologise again for missing the start of the meeting.