Written Answers. - Cross-Border Trade.
William Cotter
Ceist:
71
Mr. Cotter
asked the
Minister for Industry and Commerce
if he has satisfied himself with the level of trade between this State and Northern Ireland; if he will outline the factors, if any, which militate against the achievement of maximum trade; if he has any plans to improve the level of such trading; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Northern Ireland is our nearest and most accessible market and I am concerned to ensure that every opportunity to increase cross-Border trade is pursued.
In the five year period from 1986 to 1991, the aggregate value of annual cross-Border trade increased by some 37 per cent, from IR£937 million to IR£1,288 million. Exports to Northern Ireland in 1991 were IR£792 million and imports from Northern Ireland were IR£496 million. While pleased with this growth, I feel it should be higher. It is starting from a very low base but I am confident it will be improved upon in future years.
The imminent completion of the Internal Market represents our single, biggest, mutual opportunity in this regard, provided both sides work together in maximising cross-Border economic co-operation and trade. Such co-operation will strengthen the economic base of the whole island of Ireland and will assist all Irish companies in their ability to meet increased competition both in their traditional markets and in the Single Market.
Against this background, I attended a meeting on 6 March 1992 of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference at which discussions focused on the implications of the Single European Market for the whole island. The conference welcomed the increasing interest and new initiatives in North-South co-operation and reiterated the commitment of both Governments to encouraging North-South trade and economic co-operation. The conference agreed that officials from the relevant economic Departments will undertake further work in this area and particularly in respect of research, technology and innovation and the opening up of public sector markets.
As regards impediments to trade, these still include delays at the Border, inadequate infrastructure and lack of business information and co-operation. However, Customs clearance delays will soon be eliminated by the Single European Market, while the programme to upgrade the Rosslare-Larne road and the likely upgrading of the Dublin-Belfast rail link should ease infrastructural difficulties. The biggest impediment of all to North/South links generally is, of course, the continual violence in Northern Ireland. Everyone on both sides of the Border loses by this. It hits trade and tourism particularly hard and no doubt is designed to do so.
However, 1992 will see enhanced co-operation between both sides. For example, An Bord Tráchtála and the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland are holding a series of exhibitions on both sides of the Border to promote industrial sub-contracting and to make business people aware of opportunities to source inputs throughout Ireland. Additionally, a range of activities are being undertaken by the various other economic development agencies, the International Fund for Ireland, the CII-CBI, the chambers of commerce and other business organisations.
