Mr. Paul Lynam:

There is quite a bit there, so I will take it in various different parts if the Deputy does not mind. On the democratic consensus mechanism, that has to happen in December. The most important thing is that we de-dramatise that. We do not want to play any particular political cards on it. It should just be seen as a procedural thing. We have been making the case for the benefits of the Northern Ireland Protocol, notwithstanding the concerns that we raised and the wrinkles that need to be ironed out. However, we will be supporting that but it is very important we depoliticise and de-dramatise that as much as possible and see it more as a procedural thing. There is only so much that we can do but we will be having quiet words rather than public ones, it that makes sense.

On specialised committees, that is a great point. Specialised committees went on hiatus when the Northern Ireland Protocol was put on ice. It is really only getting back into its flow now. That is specialised committees in energy and in various different avenues. We are starting to see it start to get up and running now. It probably needs a better level of communication between external bodies and specialised committees themselves. We are actively involved in the domestic advisory group to the European Commission. We would feed in our concerns directly to the specialised committees but more needs to be done there.

On the joint committee itself, and I want to be clear on this, it can only do what it is tasked and allowed to do. When I was said it needed more teeth, it just needs to be empowered more to deal with some of the unknown unknowns that it comes across on a regular basis.

In terms of the Deputy's comment on Northern Ireland opportunities, I want to clarify that it is not to say that there has not been a great campaign from Invest NI and the Department of Business and Trade of Northern Ireland, in terms of highlighting. What I am saying is putting the onus on ourselves in terms of the organisation giving better messaging to businesses based in the Republic and to businesses based in GB to also look to Northern Ireland before going more globally on it in terms of the investment opportunities for Irish businesses and British businesses in relation to Northern Ireland. I am putting the onus on myself.

In regard to trade statistics, Ms Lynch can go into the detail on it. There has been significant growth in terms of trade between Northern Ireland and Ireland - €17 million or €18 million when we count in services. Again, in regard to east-west trade, the figures are kind of skewed in relation to some of the energy figures in terms of inflation. Generally, for the past couple of years, it has been on an upward trajectory. It depends on whether it is being assessed by the CSO or the UK Office for National Statistics. However, it has broken the €100 billion barrier in two-way trade.