Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2021 to Question 130648, on Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee: Diplomatic Service, given that select committees are unable to travel due to covid-19 restrictions, what assessment he has made of the availability of the Ambassador to the Irish Republic; and if he will he meet with the Committee to discuss that matter .

While COVID-19 restrictions are in place, Her Majesty's Ambassador to Ireland and the Embassy team remain at the Committee's disposal, including by means of virtual contact, to support any virtual Committee visits to Ireland or other virtual engagement with the Irish authorities, in line with the existing arrangements.