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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 4

Written Answers. - North/South Co-operation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

78 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the areas where, in his opinion, co-operation between North and South is attainable in the next two to three years; the measures, if any, he has taken to achieve these objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

79 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the areas where co-operation between North and South is realistic and attainable.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.

I presume that the Deputy is referring to the scope which the Tánaiste sees for co-operation between North and South in the economic and social sphere in particular.

A very substantial amount of co-operation is already taking place between North and South. There is no doubt that enormous potential exists for the expansion of this co-operation over the coming years.

Among current cross-Border projects which will bring important future benefits to both parts of this island, I would mention the restoration of the Ballinamore-Ballyconnell Canal linking the Shannon and the Erne; the natural gas pipeline which will link Scotland with both parts of Ireland and the project to upgrade the Dublin-Belfast rail link. The work under way to upgrade the Dublin-Belfast road will also facilitate trade and market accessibility between North and South.
The process of deepening mutually beneficial co-operation between North and South will continue to be taken forward at intergovernmental level, and under the intensified programmes of co-operation now under way between private sector interests on both sides.
Beyond the considerable contribution it has made in promoting and developing cross-Border co-operation in recent years, the Anglo-Irish Conference has now mapped out an impressive programme of future work in the economic area.
At its meeting on 23 March at which North-South trade and tourism were discussed, the conference endorsed a programme of work in those areas for the remainder of the year and agreed that a meeting on cross-Border trade and business co-operation, under the sponsorship of both Governments, should take place in 1993.
Following discussions at previous meetings of areas offering particular scope for new or expanded co-operation, the conference held on 23 March also confirmed that arrangements had been made for the discussion, with the participation in each case of the responsible Ministers North and South, of the following economic and social topics at forthcoming meetings: Enterprise and Employment; Science and Technology; Arts and Culture; Inland Fisheries; Education; Transport and Agriculture.
The Irish and British Governments also believe that, in the interests of maximising the benefits to North and South, it is vital that close cross-Border co-operaation is maintained in the European context. Accordingly, we intend to pursue a co-ordinated approach in our respective submissions to the EC Commission in relation to the Structural Funds 1994-1999. To this end, the two administrations have had discussions in regard to developing a joint cross-Border element in both plans.
There is also continuing co-operation in relation to the joint Ireland/Northern Ireland EC INTERREG programme which runs to the end of 1993. The two Governments will also co-operate closely in relation to the INTERREG programme which, it is expected, will succeed the present one.
In line with the lead being given at the level of Government and the official agencies on both sides, the private sectors and the professional, local authority, community, voluntary and other bodies, North and South, are continuing their efforts to increase co-operation between both parts of Ireland. I welcome, in particular, the valuable work being done under the IBEC/CBI (NI) joint North/South initiative and the growing programmes of co-operation between the Chambers of Commerce on both sides. Moreover, the International Fund for Ireland is continuing to make an important contribution in the business development area through its support for a number of important cross-Border projects.
In the new context of the achievement of the Single Market and the moves towards economic and monetary union set out in the Maastricht Treaty, enterprises North and South are increasingly conscious of the opportunities for increased business co-operation within the "island economy" of Ireland and of the advantages to be gained from combining their resources in availing of the new business opportunities at the wider European level. The Government and its official agencies will continue to give every support to this process.
As regards the identification of areas where additional co-operation between North and South is realistic and attainable, I would also mention that the Taoiseach, as a stimulus to taking matters forward, had published in June last the StudyIreland in Europe: A Shared Challenge. The study — copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library — contains a wealth of detailed recommendations by independent consultants on areas offering opportunities for enhanced co-operation across a range of economic and social sectors.
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