Seanad Committee on Brexit to conclude public hearings

The Lord Alderdice, John Thomas Alderdice, will address the Committee on the implications of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU on relations between the State and Northern Ireland.

Committee Chairman, Senator Neale Richmond, said: “Tomorrow’s meeting marks the conclusion of the Committee’s public hearings. We have held eleven hearings, spanning approximately 35 hours, which have given us valuable insight into how we might mitigate Brexit’s negative effects on the island of Ireland. Lord Alderdice - former Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly; leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, and member of the House of Lords - will address our final public meeting tomorrow. Lord Alderdice has been vocal in his insistence that no hard border is put in place between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit. He will engage with the Committee on the possible implications of Brexit on the Peace Process and how positive relationships can be maintained in the face of great uncertainty and upheaval for people north and south of the border.”

“Upon the conclusion of our public hearing tomorrow, we will turn to drafting our final report in accordance with our terms of reference. As Chairman of the Special Select Committee, I wish to thank members for the positive and constructive approach they have adopted throughout this process and we look forward to publishing our cross-party report in due course.”

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

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