Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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The main thing I would like to do today is thank Vice President Šefovi for the work he has done in relation to the Northern Ireland protocol and the Windsor Framework. As a previous speaker has said, Mr. Šefovi is a very patient man and we are in admiration of his patience. It is absolutely wonderful now that we have agreed the Windsor Framework between the UK and the EU. We are very grateful to Mr. Šefovi for his engagement on the issue. He met with business leaders and civic society in Northern Ireland throughout the whole process. All of that now has culminated in the agreement known as the Windsor Framework. Well done to all concerned.

My first question is on the Windsor Framework. How is the implementation of the Windsor Framework going at this stage? Have there been any practical changes on the ground in Northern Ireland? When does Mr. Šefovi believe that the Windsor Framework will be fully operational in practice?

On the EU-UK Partnership Council, established under the trade and co-operation agreement, the EU-UK joint committee, established under the withdrawal agreement, and the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, established under the trade and co-operation agreement, how are all of these operating? Is Mr. Šefovi satisfied with the way they are operating, meeting regularly, and getting down to work?

My third question is a technical one and it relates to Irish whiskey, of all things. Irish whiskey is an all-island industry. It had an all-island export value of more than €1 billion last year. Irish whiskey has a unique all-island geographic indication, GI, whereby the same production rules apply North and South. I understand that the Irish Whiskey Association is engaging with the European Commission to ensure that this all-island GI geographic indication continues to be protected. Mr. Šefovi can come back on this question if he does not want to answer it today. With the Windsor Framework now in place does the Commission see scope for closer engagement with the UK Government to ensure seamless governance of all-island geographic indications, like the Irish whiskey example? I appreciate that this is a technical question. I understand there are discussions going on with the Commission and the Irish Whiskey Association so I would be interested to know the outcome of that.