Mr. Colm Markey:

As a man from a Border county, I know this to be a particularly important matter. There has been mention of agriculture and the product of mixed origin, which is a massive concern in the dairy sector. A product may be collected both sides of the Border and processed centrally. There are issues with free trade agreements. We had extensive engagements with the Commission and asked questions at committee level in the European Parliament in trying to get clarity on the matter. We have got some level of clarity.

Mr. Maroš Šefovi is doing some work and there is tension building in the North, with the frustration arising from what, ultimately, was agreed by the United Kingdom over the course of Brexit. At the European level I urge that we keep Brexit on the agenda and ensure we give a bit of time to proposals that might address such issues. That is very important. The other key question is about creating structures that include the South and the North in a European context. Europe as a whole does not really allow for engagement with regional parliaments. We are looking at structures within the Good Friday Agreement and joint committee structures of the European Parliament to allow engagement at that level. It is what is required to move things forward. The small details can be resolved and there must be a focus in putting those types of structures in place. It could help in a big way.