Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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I welcome the witnesses. It is great to see them here. Those of us who live in the Border counties are aware of many of the challenges that businesses face because they speak to us daily. It is important for us to know that organisations like those represented here today are working in the background to support them.

I have two questions. Ms Hearty mentioned the 11,000 businesses that have engaged with the trade hub and said she would be happy to provide examples. She might give us some idea of the extent of the work that InterTradeIreland does and the interventions it makes. Many businesses will be in contact with us. I heard clearly what Mr. Harper said about dual market access. He said that many European companies do not fully understand the workings of the Windsor Framework, and Ms Hearty said that six in ten businesses across the island do not fully understand it. Do they have any thoughts on what can be done, either at the political level or their own level, to increase awareness or is that just going to happen organically? Is there anything that can be done to speed it up?

Mr. Harper mentioned that some companies in Wales and Scotland are flatlining with regard to exports. Has trade got to the pre-Brexit level and what is the general perspective?