Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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It is great to see Mr. Tony Murphy back, albeit virtually. It is a shame that we have to do it this way, but such is life at the moment. We look forward to seeing him in Dublin for next year's report. Hopefully, there will not be any more delays, which were unavoidable on everyone's side of things. I give credit to Mr. Tony Murphy, Mr. Brian Murphy, and Ms Niamh Mahon, as well as the wider team in the European Court of Auditors on their work. We discussed before how it is some of the most important work of the European Union, although it is not necessarily the most glamorous, so perhaps it does not always get coverage. When we talk about anything European, it is easy to focus on the simple, controversial and negative, and avoid the 99.9% of hard, rewarding work that so many people do.

I want to touch on two points in the report specifically. I have a third general point, which would be good to touch on, considering this is the first time Mr. Murphy has addressed a committee of this Dáil. Unsurprisingly, I will ask first about the Brexit adjustment reserve fund. I would like clarity on two small issues in relation to the reporting. Can Mr. Murphy give an indicative timeline on when reporting is expected within that process? On the audit of the funds, is that done on a member state basis or on the package as a whole?

NextGenerationEU, NGEU, is a monumental departure for the European Union, not just to agree funding of this nature, but to be able to develop own resources and floating eurobonds. I do not think the gravity of that has been taken into account yet. That is probably understandable when you bear in mind the gravity of so much happening in the world. In his presentation, Mr. Murphy referred to milestones and targets. Could he elaborate further on that?

My third question has absolutely nothing to do with the report but it has everything to do with the work that Mr. Murphy, Ms Mahon and Mr. Brian Murphy are doing in relation to Irish people working in the European institutions. The Government has been working on EU jobs. This committee has had hearings with various stakeholders, including European Movement Ireland and the IEA. If the Chair does not mind, could we take some liberty and talk about the possibilities for Irish people to work in the European Court of Auditors and its related institutions? Many people think first of Brussels, but obviously, Mr. Murphy is in Luxembourg. I hope the Chair does not mind me taking that small liberty.