47 Mr. Leonard asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a senior official from each of the Border counties and the chief executive officer of the county enterprise boards in the Border counties will receive an invitation to the Washington Trade Conference. [7339/95]
48 Mr. Leonard asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he has taken to ensure that Government agencies in the six counties south of the Border have a well-documented submission for the Washington Trade Conference in seeking inward investment. [7340/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.
The organisation of the White House Conference for Trade and Investment in Ireland is a matter for the relevant US authorities. It is my understanding, however, that official representatives from each of the Border counties will be invited.
The Conference offers a valuable opportunity for the promotion of inward investment in the six Border counties and the economic regeneration of an area which has suffered severely from the consequences of twenty five years of violence in Northern Ireland.
I look forward to leading the Government's delegation to the Conference and making use of this major occasion to highlight for potential US investors the merits of investment in the Border counties in the new context created by peace.
In preparation for the Conference, Government Departments and State agencies are coordinating closely to ensure the best possible presentation of our case. The six Border counties will be the primary focus in terms of this jurisdiction. The Deputy can be assured that the fullest attention will be paid to the particular needs and potential of these counties in the documentation which is being prepared for circulation at the Conference and in the oral presentations which will be made there.
