Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 November 2013
60. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his participation in the Economic Investment Conference held in Belfast on 10 and 11 October 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47570/13]
View answerOfficials from my Department attended the Northern Ireland Economic Investment Conference in Belfast in early October. This conference allowed excellent networking with representatives from the Northern Irish business sector. Attendance at the Conference was another example of the very good relations between the UK and Ireland which Prime Minister Cameron attested to in his address to the conference. Prime Minister Cameron’s comments on the collaborative work being undertaken between the two Governments is reinforced in the UK’s economic package for Northern Ireland “Building a Prosperous and United Community” which acknowledges the need for the UK Government and NI Executive to work with the Irish Government with the aim of supporting economic growth and a shared society with equality of opportunity for all in Northern Ireland. I spoke of this in my address to the Chamber of Commerce during my recent visit to Derry.
At the Belfast Conference the Prime Minister also referred to the ongoing work to establish common visa arrangements across the UK and Ireland which could have significant economic benefits for business across the island.
My decision to involve Northern Ireland companies in the recent Global Irish Economic Forum has been heartily welcomed by those companies and by the NI business sector. I and my Department officials will continue to engage fully with Northern Ireland business and government representatives for the benefit of the economy of the island as a whole.
