Vol. 526 No. 4
1 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting in Dublin with the Newfoundland Minister for Industry, Trade and Technology, Mrs. Sandra Kelly; the details of the progress being made on the agreement between Ireland and Newfoundland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21202/00]
I was delighted to welcome the Minister for Industry, Trade and Technology of Newfoundland and Labrador, Mrs. Sandra Kelly, at a State reception held in her honour at Dublin Castle on Monday, 9 October in connection with the visit to Ireland of the business mission, comprising 23 companies and development agencies and organised by Ireland Business Partnerships and the St. John's Board of Trade, she was leading. We observed the signing of four contracts between Newfoundland and Irish organisations and companies. One of these contracts was signed by Mrs. Kelly and the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Treacy, and it entails the co-development of an e-learning repository for small enterprise for Ireland's county enterprise boards in association with a Newfoundland based company, Operation ONLINE. The repository, which will be piloted in January 2001 and officially launched in March 2001, is expected to include on-line training programmes for e-business, learning modules and other resource materials.
A great deal of progress has been made in the co-operation under the memorandum of understanding. I am aware of Deputy Bruton's keen interest in this matter. A detailed note of the extensive developments involved is available and I will forward a copy to the Deputy.
Reflecting the real worthwhile results achieved under the memorandum of understanding and the great potential for the future, I took the opportunity, in my remarks at the Dublin Castle reception, to announce the establishment of a new entity, Newfoundland and Labrador Business Partnerships, a counterpart of Ireland Business Partnerships which was established in Newfoundland and Labrador to oversee and manage developments under the memorandum of understanding between our two countries. I envisage that the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Treacy, will chair a new co-ordinating board, with a senior official in my Department as his deputy and with a strengthened secretariat drawn from our two Departments. The process of bringing this board into being has commenced.
I welcome the Taoiseach's comprehensive reply. As he is aware, I initiated the memorandum of understanding during my term as Taoiseach. Has consideration been given to closer co-operation between Ireland and Newfoundland in the matter of offshore exploration and offshore resources development given that we have already developed the Corrib Field and that there are a number of fields in development off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland?
Many areas have been con sidered. One of the companies involved is covered in the memorandum of understanding in terms of co-operating in the provision of technology based services for marine environmental management. In addition, we must look at the other areas in respect of which we can co-operate.
We have given consideration to the various areas dealt with my our agencies and matched them with those covered by Newfoundland's agencies. We have considered, for example, geological surveys and the role of the Marine Institute. Many of the companies linking up with our State agencies can offer expertise in these areas. A great level of interest in co-operation has been expressed by both the companies and the State agencies involved.
A number of beneficial discussions have also taken place between the Department of Mines and Energy and the Department of Public Enterprise on trying to encourage development on a number of the issues raised at the North Atlantic Mineral Symposium. We have also covered a wide variety of new areas where real potential exists.
Has the Taoiseach had any personal contact with the new premier of Newfoundland? Has he considered making contact with the former premier, Brian Tobin, who has moved to a position in the federal Government of Canada where he has responsibility for the general development of Atlantic Canada – which encompasses Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick – in respect of which the co-operation agreement with Newfoundland could be a basis for further exchanges?
Does the Taoiseach agree that the Irish and Newfoundland economies compliment each other in the sense that Newfoundland is an area of emigration whereas Ireland is one of immigration? In that context, does he further agree that greater numbers of people from Newfoundland than heretofore could be encouraged to work here?
I have been in contact with Brian Tobin and his successor. I do not have exact information on the number of people from Newfoundland who have come here to work. However, it is quite sizeable. There is no doubt that Brian Tobin, in his new capacity as Minister for Industry in the Canadian Government, will continue to be interested in all matters Irish. In conjunction with the new Administration in Newfoundland we will ensure that the memorandum continues to flourish.
Will the Taoiseach compliment Galway Chamber of Commerce on initiating a bilateral agreement, within the framework of the overall memorandum, with St. John's, the principle city of Newfoundland. Will he encourage other chambers of commerce to negotiate bilateral arrangements with other cities in Newfoundland? I refer particularly to Waterford which has a special connection with Newfoundland.
The Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Treacy, has been trying to encourage developments in that area and I will encourage him to continue to do so. I join Deputy Bruton in thanking Galway Chamber of Commerce, the St. John's Board of Trade and the Irish Business Partnership which all signed the agreement for economic co-operation. The three organisations plan to enter into a formal relationship in the near future to explore mutually advantageous co-operation initiatives. It is hoped to formalise this arrangement early in the new year.
