Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We all concur with the hope that some day we might see the UK return and see the entire island be a part of the EU. The Minister of State will have taken from all the contributions during the debate that Brexit is still very much a live issue. If it was not for the pandemic, we probably would have had greater discussions on the impact of Brexit throughout the country. He rightly pointed out that one of the key objectives of our committee was to give a platform to those businesses, citizens and communities affected by Brexit that wanted to have their voices heard to ensure the Oireachtas and the Government took on board their views and experiences.

One of the issues I did not get to a chance to mention in my opening remarks was that around the democratic deficit in Northern Ireland. As a committee, we are very keen to see that addressed in any meaningful way we can to make sure the voices of Irish citizens, and people in the North who feel very much part of the EU and want to remain part of it, are heard. As Senator Ó Donnghaile rightly pointed out, Northern Ireland rejected Brexit and yet it now finds itself outside the EU, which is not a satisfactory position for many people and citizens in the North. We want to see that addressed through all the channels open to the Government.

The Minister of State mentioned Vice President Šefovi, who will be before our committee in the coming weeks. That is something we are very much looking forward to. Commissioner McGuinness and Congressman Richard Neal have also appeared before the committee. We were very heartened to have Congressman Neal at our opening meeting to reiterate the support of the United States for Ireland's position of protecting the Good Friday Agreement and driving home the message to the UK that there will not be a trade deal if it jeopardises that agreement or seeks to undermine it in any way. The Seanad Brexit committee has been an important platform for Ireland and the Oireachtas to get those views heard and aired and to give us an opportunity to drive home our message that, as the Minister of State said, we are committed members of the EU, which is a club with a very proud history and Ireland is very proud to be a member of it.

As public representatives, it is important we remind the public of the very good work the EU has done for Ireland, as the Minister of State vitally pointed out. Brexit has done that for us in that it has shown citizens the benefits of membership of the EU. We see certain events happening across the water that remind people of what happens when you step out of the Single Market and the customs union. They were designed for a very good reason and with very good benefits for members. It is unfortunate that things have transpired in the way they have.

We will continue our work over the coming weeks and months, with the intention of producing our final report at the end of the year. We will then have either the Minister of State or the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, before the Seanad again to hear about our final report. We will then follow up with the Minister of State, as he no doubt knows, and the Department on our recommendations and plans for implementation. The committee looks forward to engaging with the Minister of State in seeing those recommendations implemented.

I thank the Minister of State for his attendance. Once again, I thank our members, witnesses and the committee secretariat for their work in putting this report together. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his leniency in allowing me a few extra minutes for my remarks.