Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012
90 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions being taken in relation to issues discussed at the North-South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30548/12]
View answerThe North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meets in three formats: Plenary, Institutional and Sectoral. To date in 2012 there have been 16 Sectoral meetings, an Institutional meeting on 27 April and a Plenary meeting on 15 June. The next Institutional meeting is planned for the early autumn and the next Plenary is scheduled for 2 November 2012. At the meeting in Plenary format at Farmleigh on 15 June discussions covered a wide range of issues including the economic challenges faced in both jurisdictions, the impact of the euro-zone crisis, bank restructuring and lending and NAMA. The meeting reviewed progress across a range of areas of North-South co-operation, including the work of the North-South bodies, particularly as they relate to fostering economic recovery on the island. Ministers re-iterated their commitment to practical cooperation on these issues, and to exploring areas where cost savings might be achieved.
We discussed the opportunities for co-operation in exploiting the trade opportunities in developing markets. The benefits from maximising the potential of major tourism events including ‘The Gathering' were noted. We welcomed continuing collaboration on innovation supported by the European Union and noted the successful all-island "Collaborate to Innovate" Conference on European research and innovation funding for SMEs which took place on 7 June 2012 in Belfast and which was addressed by EU Commissioner Máire Geoghegan Quinn. We also discussed the challenges and priorities for the upcoming Irish EU Presidency in 2013, and explored the potential for co-operative actions during the Presidency, including meetings of senior officials, the hosting of EU events in both jurisdictions and the inclusion of EU matters as an Agenda item at relevant NSMC sectoral meetings.
The Decade of Commemorations and the importance of ensuring that all commemorative events are respectful and inclusive was also discussed.
We welcomed continued progress on business planning for the establishment of the Radiotherapy Unit at Altnagelvin in Derry which will benefit patients on both sides of the border. Work on this important facility is planned to commence in 2013 and the Unit should be operational in 2016. The very successful North/South conference on alcohol misuse which was held in Armagh earlier this year was also welcomed.
The importance of co-operation on Third Level Education was discussed, taking account of the likely increase in student mobility between the two jurisdictions and of continuing collaborative action between third level institutions to assist with cost savings and on research and development.
We discussed progress to date on the A5 and A8 road projects, noted that the government remains committed to the completion of the A5 and approved a funding and implementation plan for the A5 project to the end of 2016 based on existing financial commitments.
We agreed to finalise deliberations on the North South Consultative Forum at the next NSMC Plenary meeting, and welcomed recent progress in establishing the North-South Parliamentary Forum.
We also discussed the North West Gateway Initiative, welcoming the progress that has been made on a range of projects. I expect that we will meet with the relevant Ministers, before the next NSMC Institutional meeting, to ensure that the measures to be taken forward through the Initiative are effectively delivered through the work of their Departments.
Elements of the St Andrews Agreement Review were advanced at the meeting. In regard to the Review's first Term of Reference, Ministers endorsed the recommendations concerning the various North South Bodies that had been agreed at sectoral meetings. Work is progressing on a review of the financial memoranda of the North/South bodies. In relation to shared services, work has commenced on exploring the potential for realising efficiency savings within the Bodies, and a report will be submitted to the NSMC in the autumn. The First Minister, deputy First Minister, Taoiseach and I will reflect and consult on Terms of Reference Two and Three of the St Andrews Review, which include the case for additional areas of co-operation within the NSMC, with a view to decisions being taken on these at the November 2012 Plenary meeting. We will continue to work with our Northern colleagues in the NSMC to ensure that additional opportunities to engage cooperatively in areas where there is scope for joint action are identified to the maximum extent possible.
