Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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It has been a remarkably interesting, informative and challenging debate. The witnesses have laid out to us, as a committee and an Oireachtas, the issues we need to think about. Mr. Hazzard's question about the future and looking ahead is important, as was Senator Currie's question. We will need to invite back Professor Doyle and other political scientists regarding how a future state might look, what the options are and whether it makes sense. As he noted, there is nowhere else in the world like the North and South as it stands, so we have to ask what our future together could look like.

Another question concerns what vision we should have. There was a reference to future generations. We have to present a practical vision of what we collectively think as a committee might work, but we have to get buy-in from all the people, not just a majority of one. We have to get people to want it and share it. The witnesses have given us great food for thought. This has been one of the best meetings we have had. We have met previously but we definitely need to meet again. We have a lot to think about and study. I thank the witnesses for their time, ideas and thoughts.