Vol. 416 No. 2
5 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if he will elaborate on his statement that the European Single Market will provide a context within which peace could be achieved in the North; and if he will outline the specific role the EC will play and the specific steps he will initiate to facilitate the process.
The progressive completion of the Single Market programme has steadily been laying the basis for the disappearance of the technical, administrative and taxation barriers between North and South in Ireland and should lead to significant increases in cross-Border trade.
These prospects should be considerably boosted by the participation of both parts of Ireland in economic and monetary union, especially if Britain ultimately decides to participate in the move to the final stage. The irrevocable change to a single European currency would provide a stable and predictable context for cross-Border trade, investment, economic co-operation and partnership generally.
The prospect, under the Delors Package Mark II, of a further major increase in the resources which the Community devotes to regional development and of a continuation of the Interreg initiative should help further to reinforce economic co-operation between North and South and create that climate of mutual knowledge and confidence between communities and people on both sides of the Border on which political progress can be built.
The Government are ready to support any arrangements for combining our respective strengths and resources, North and South, to maximise the opportunities and to overcome the problems of an intergrated economic Community.
The intensification of contacts and mutual knowledge, together with the common participation in a political union which is already a focus for peace, stability and prosperity in Europe and which aims to contribute to confidence and the prevention of strife throughout the Continent, the Government sincerely hope to bring home to all concerned the anachronistic and futile nature of the conflict in Northern Ireland which has continued for far too long, and also lend a powerful stimulus to ending that conflict by political and democratic methods. The Government hope that, taking inspiration from Community models, it may be possible, through dialogue, to devise structures which will emulate in Ireland this positive European experience to the benefit of the people of these islands.
While obviously one can be supportive of the thurst of the Taoiseach's reply and wish to assist in every way possible any measures the Government might initiate to remove barriers, would the Taoiseach elaborate on any particular structures he would envisage which might assist this process? Secondly, would he not accept there is a distinction to be made between commercial and trade barriers being removed? In fact the trend in Europe, despite the unification of Europe and co-operation within Europe, has been for ethnic minorities to seek their independence and to preserve their own identity within common structures?
If one talks about European models one could look at the broad framework where differences are accepted and where structures can be built to accommodate those differences. If one transposes that into the Northern Ireland situation one gets an idea of where progress could be made in future years. I think we would all agree that development towards European union encourages all of us to emphasise that before the end of the decade people North and South will be fellow citizens of a united Europe and this is the context in which I believe we can make political progress. Those sentiments were also expressed by the former Taoiseach in his address to the Institute of Directors in Belfast. Europe can make a contribution but essentially the problem has to be approached by the Government in London and by the Government in Dublin. Recognising what is happening in Europe can have an impact on our thinking and on how we see the future of Northern Ireland.
Would the Taoiseach not accept that irrespective of the pace of European integration that fundamental changes of attitude would be necessary both in the North and in the South if we are to make the progress which is required?
Of course there is a need for a fundamental change of attitude in relation to trying to build confidence and trust between the two communities in the North of Ireland. All of us here should facilitate that in whatever way we can. I have said quite clearly that we can have a bottom-up and a top-down approach to it. The bottom-up approach is exactly what I mean, for example, promoting projects under the Interreg programme which can give a stimulus to the building of trust between communities at the Border and outside those areas as well. That is the way in which trust and reconciliation has to be built between the two communities. The two Governments also have to consider it and involve the European Commission in trying to promote it from the top down as well.
In view of the advances cited by the Taoiseach of cross-Border co-operation, may I ask if he would deal with two practical matters? First, would he be agreeable to reverse the cut made by the Minister for Finance in the estimate for cross-Border co-operation in the Vote of the Minister for Foreign Affairs — one of the few parts of that Estimate which were actually cut in 1992 as against 1991? Second, would he agree that it would be desirable to amend the procedures for the new Cohesion Fund to ensure that not only this State but also Northern Ireland qualifies for assistance for a trans-Border network activity, such as, roads.
In regard to the first question I am sure the Deputy will raise that matter with the Minister for Finance in the budget debate which is still ongoing. In relation to the question of Structural Funds for Northern Ireland I am sure the Deputy will be aware that there is a danger that, in the next tranche of Structural Funds, because Northern Ireland is now 75 per cent of the standard of living in the rest of Europe, they could well find themselves outside of the objective 1 regions. Here is an area which we could promote as a common interest between ourselves and the British Government to ensure that that does not happen. We have to be seen to look after the interests of Northern Ireland, some of which could probably be better served at European level by a single voice operated from down here.
Is the Taoiseach aware — I am sure he is — that the European Parliament has addressed the questions arising in Northern Ireland on a number of occasions both in the Haagerup report for the political committee some years ago and in the Ainardi report by the regional committee last year? Would he examine those reports to see what are the views of the Parliament and, perhaps, draw some proposals from them, particularly with regard to cross-Border co-operation on energy and transport and also on education within Northern Ireland itself.
I will be glad to do that.
Deputy Currie had been offering. Then I will call Deputy John Bruton for a final question.
While agreeing with all of the points made, may I home in on what seems to be central to all of them? Would the Taoiseach agree and take the opportunity, particularly tomorrow when he is speaking with the British Prime Minister, to make the point that while an eventual and lasting political solution will only be brought about by agreement between the representatives of the two traditions in Northern Ireland, there are many things which the two Governments working together can do particularly in the situation where terrorism thrives in a political vacuum. Disagreement among the political parties in the North or lack of progress cannot be allowed to hold up political progress. In these circumstances may I ask the Taoiseach whether he will emphasise the point that Europe, in particular, provides a context in which much of this necessary and political agreement can be achieved and that the two Governments, irrespective of anything else, should push ahead on that issue?
The sentiments expressed by Deputy Currie are exactly what is contained in my response here today. I certainly agree with him on that approach and I will be emphasising that approach tomorrow.
Only I put it better and most succintly. Thank you very much.
As one would expect. Would the Taoiseach not agree that his own entirely praiseworthy efforts to get Europe to spend more money on cross-Border co-operation activities in Ireland is invalidated to a great extent by the fact that his own Government have cut the amount they are prepared to spend on cross-Border co-operation in the Vote of the Department of Foreign Affairs? Would he not agree that his case would be enhanced if he were to say in this House he would seek, in conjunction with the Minister for Finance, who is sitting beside him at present, to restore the cut that has been made in the cross-Border co-operation subhead of the Department of Foreign Affairs before he makes any more eloquent speeches of the kind he gave in response to Deputy Spring's question?
The Deputy is raising a very particular matter.
It is a very pertinent matter.
It should be dealt with separately.
Absolutely.
Would the Ceann Comhairle not agree that talking about cross-Border co-operation is meaningless if our own Government are unwilling to commit funds in this regard. May I ask the Taoiseach further, if he is aware that, under the draft terms of reference for the new Cohesion Fund, which is separate from the existing Structural Funds, Northern Ireland is specifically excluded? Has the Taoiseach received any representations from the SDLP in regard to that matter and what action, if any, is he prepared to take on that issue?
I am aware of the present situation in relation to the Cohesion Fund. The Deputy can be assured that I will take it fully into consideration at every opportunity I get to see how the situation of Northern Ireland can be advanced in that regard.
There are no Government funds.
Ceist 6, le do thoil.
