Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 1997

Vol. 480 No. 6

Written Answers - North-South Co-operation.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

42 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, the Government has for the raising of the level of North-South economic co-operation; and, if so, the amount of Government support proposed for this purpose. [14725/97]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. R. Burke):

The Government attaches the greatest importance to developing North-South co-operation. I intend to actively pursue this policy at every opportunity, in particular through the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference and in the context of the three-stranded negotiations on which we are now embarking.

Since taking up office, I have discussed the importance of North-South economic and social co-operation with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the Minister of State, Adam Ingram, MP, who has special responsibility for this area. At a meeting of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 18 July, while noting the significant co-operation already taking place, we affirmed our intention to look at ways in which this could be further built on. Discussions are continuing at official level with a view to identifying areas which could be considered in more detail within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Conference.

There are significant financial resources available to assist the further development of North-South economic co-operation. Should additional resources be required to meet new opportunities or changing circumstances, the Government will look positively at any proposals.

In the longer term, of course, the launch of the substantive three-stranded negotiations opens up the prospect of a strong North-South body invested with the necessary powers to maximise the potential for mutual co-operation between the two parts of the island. We are a small island with relatively few natural resources. It makes no sense not to do all we can to harness our collective energies and resources in the service of the common good. There is also the point that a strong North-South body will allow Northern nationalists the chance to share with unionists the sense that their aspirations and identity are reflected in the governance and administration of their home place.