Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I too welcome the Minister of State to the House. I join with colleagues in thanking our Chair, Senator Chambers, for her inclusiveness, for what she has done in bringing us all together and for arranging for the number of witnesses we saw in respect of this very important report to appear. We are here today to discuss the interim part of that particular report.

A number of colleagues mentioned investment in ports and staffing levels. My colleague, Senator Malcolm Byrne, has been mentioning Rosslare at every meeting we have had. I had the privilege of sitting down with Deputy Howlin of my own party to discuss Rosslare in the last week. He agrees with the sentiment Senator Malcolm Byrne has expressed today. We need investment in our ports. We also need to look at staffing, particularly with regard to the policing and Garda element Senator Malcolm Byrne raised today.

I could not agree more with the Cathaoirleach about preparing for a protocol vote. It would be very interesting to hear what the Department is doing in that regard in the Minister of State's reply. The one-stop shop for imports proposed in the report is something we heard suggested by an awful lot of witnesses, particularly those involved in the transport sector. I am still getting reports of problems. Even today, I heard of an issue with goods coming into the country. These still have not been ironed out. We still do not have a one-stop shop. Again, I would be interested to hear the plans of the Minister of State and his Department as to how we can do that. It is very achievable and, in fairness, people are working towards it but we need to get to it a little bit quicker than we are, given where we now stand.

We were to talk about the cross-border health directive this morning but, unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, we were unable to go ahead with that particular meeting. This is something I have raised previously. I raised it with the Minister of State's colleague, the Minister for Defence, earlier in the week in the context of the benefits it provides for PDFORRA members through the PDFORRA medical assistance scheme, PMAS, that body administers. I understand that the current scheme is due to end at the end of December. Our colleagues in Northern Ireland have extended the equivalent scheme to July of next year, providing a further six months. This is causing a lot of worry for those benefiting from PMAS. If I may just concentrate on our Defence Forces, the scheme has brought tremendous benefits for those who need medical care. As the Minister of State knows, this care can extend the lives and military careers of members of our Defence Forces and is badly needed. I ask the Minister of State to consider that matter. I have raised it with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Defence. Perhaps the Minister of State can also comment on the matter.

I will raise two final issues. The first relates to exports. The Minister of State will be aware that, once again, the UK has put back its declarations until 1 January or even into the first couple of months of the new year. In conversations we had with a number of witnesses, we heard that they were worried about our exports to the UK.I ask the Minister of State to comment on where we are with that. I know a significant amount of work has been done in that regard, but it is a worry for many exporters. In recent days, Marks and Spencer has commented on the problems it is experiencing with goods coming in and going out. It is an important topic for which we have to be prepared.

On the issue of tourism, my colleague raised a very important matter. It is very important that we consider tourism on an all-island basis. It is essential for this country that we portray ourselves on an all-island basis. That is the way it should be done. It goes to the heart of what the committee is all about. I look forward to the comments of the Minister of State.