Vol. 459 No. 5
6 Ms O'Donnell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he is taking, in conjunction with others, to encourage practical cross-Border economic co-operation on this island in view of the small populations in both parts of the island and the unnecessary duplication of facilities of different kinds. [18342/95]
65 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the consideration, if any, which has been given to the appointment of a Minister who would have special responsibility for cross-Border development and co-operation for cross-Border development at all levels and who would have access to all Government Departments. [11839/95]
I intend to take Questions Nos. 6 and 65 together.
As I said in the House before, it is the Government's policy to promote cross-Border economic co-operation in all sectors. The Government wishes to see full advantage taken of the significant new opportunities which arise in the context of the cessation of violence for North-South trade and economic co-operation.
I assure Deputies that all Departments and State agencies are fully supportive of establishing and developing cross-Border links.
Apart from the regular meetings of the Anglo-Irish Conference, Government Departments and agencies, North and South, are in regular contact with each other on a wide range of issues of mutual interest. I would mention, in particular, co-operation in the operation of EU programmes such as INTERREG II and the special programme for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border counties.
Overall ministerial and departmental responsibility for general North-South economic co-operation rests with the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Anglo-Irish Conference provides a framework for co-operation across a wide area of social and economic issues between the two jurisdictions.
The conference has in recent years taken initiatives to promote co-operation in fields such as tourism, transport, energy, environment, health, agriculture, education, North/South trade, forestry and fisheries. Specific projects which have developed from such co-operation are the upgrading of the Dublin-Belfast railway line and the Shannon-Erne waterway.
In the period since the ceasefires alone, the conference has considered the scope for practical co-operation in the areas of animal health and rural development; cross-Border roads, urban renewal and environmental and health issues. Further possibilities for North-South co-operation will be examined by the conference over the coming months.
In addition to activities at central Government level, it would be remiss of me not to remind the House that a wide range of local government and private sector initiatives are under way to promote cross-Border economic and business co-operation in the context of peace.
While administrative arrangements for North-South co-operation are subject to periodic review, I believe that such co-operation is best carried out as an integral part of the activity of the various Departments and co-ordinated through the Anglo-Irish Conference, whose meetings I chair. This process already involves close consultation and co-ordination with the various Departments.
The present arrangement ensures that this important area remains central to the Anglo-Irish process in a way that might not necessarily be achieved under the arrangements envisaged in the Deputy's question.
Does the Minister agree that the level of growth in cross-Border trade since the ceasefire has been disappointing? Does he also agree that there is unnecessary duplication on the two parts of this island in areas such as third level education and hi-tech medicine as the small population on both sides of the Border cannot support much of the infrastructure already in place? Does the Minister agree that there should be rationalisation in areas such as electricity generation and telecommunications? Would he encourage active and practical co-operation in these matters?
I agree in principle that there is duplication in many areas on both sides of the Border which, in the interests of competitiveness and efficiency, we would like to remove. Since the ceasefire and the conference on trade and investment in Washington, with follow-up visits from Mr. Meissner and the Secretary of Commerce, Ron Brown, there is much work to be done but the process must be two way. We can only engage in talks with those who wish to do so. Whereas we actively encourage increasing trade and investment, many of the Northern politicians are not as forthcoming in this regard. From a strictly commercial trade investment point of view, both communities would be far better off if this was considered on all-island economy in terms of electricity, telecommunications, transport, tourism and so on. There are enormous efficiencies and economies to be gained from viewing this as an all-island economy and that would not interfere with people's understanding of sovereignty. However, having regard to the correspondence I receive, not all people view it in that way.
The 1994 EU audit found that most schemes funded on a cross-Border nature did not have a real cross-Border objective. Of the 270 schemes involved, only 39 were of a cross-Border nature. Even since the ceasefire State agencies have shown little additional interest in cross-Border co-operation. Last week the IDA informed me it had not received any additional remit of funding under the heading of peace and reconciliation since the creasefire. After reading the report of the EU audit it was embarrassing to hear on British television that the only worthwhile cross-Border project was the Ballinamore-Ballyconnell canal, with which I was involved.
The Dublin-Belfast railway line is another major cross-Border project. The Deputy should note that the Border also touches the east coast. The Ballinamore-Ballyconnell canal project was very successful and brave decisions, that required courage and vision, were taken by those responsible at that time.
By Charlie Haughey.
I will give credit where it is due. That project would not have been possible it he had not taken the initiative. It has been successful in revitalising many areas along the canal. Credit is due to the former Taoiseach, Charlie Haughey, for taking the initiative in that regard.
We must place emphasis on developing cross-Border roads, which was impossible until late last year. From our many discussions the Deputy will be aware of the priority given by the Government to reopening cross-Border roads in an effort to return a sense of normality to regions that have been disrupted for many years because of their closure. I hope we can make progress in that regard.
I am at a loss as regards the Deputy's comments about the IDA. It is endeavouring to attract investment to all parts of this country and finds it easier to market Ireland now that there is peace. However, there must be a lead-in time. Deputies who have been involved with the IDA will know that the follow-through on projects takes a considerable length of time. The IDA has had enormous success in the past few years and long may that continue as we need jobs and foreign investment.
The IDA does not have the funding to build the infrastructure.
The IDA does not have have sufficient EU funding to build the infrastructure necessary to attract investment along Border roads. Does the Minister agree that in terms of cross-Border economic co-operation it is important to draw down the maximum EU funding? There appears to be a problem in this regard, particularly as the Government is having difficulty agreeing the Estimates. Will the Minister guarantee that maximum EU funding will be drawn down for this purpose, even if it must be redirected from other areas in the short-term?
It is easy for the Deputy to speculate on areas from which money could be redirected but those sitting around the Cabinet table do not easily give up money allocated to, say, the health services, education or social welfare to fund infrastructural development. Ministers will protect their areas to the best of their ability and, ultimately, we must produce a Book of Estimates.
The peace process and ceasefires have presented an opportunity to attract investment to Border regions. I know from discussions with Deputies McDaid and Leonard and Senator Gallagher that Border areas have been severely hit in recent years. Inquiries are being made and I hope we will see the fruits of the lead-in period by the middle of next year. People who, for obvious reasons, did not want to locate industry in the Border regions for the past 25 years now view it with much more openness.
I echo the concerns of my colleagues, Deputies Leonard and McDaid, on the lack of inward investment. Will the Minister agree to meet a deputation of Oireachtas Members from the Border region to discuss the matter so that he could give impetus and direction to programmes and ensure that tangible results come on stream without delay?
Senator Gallagher made a similar request to me in the past few days and I told him I would do so at the earliest possible opportunity. As it would assist me with my responsibilities, I would be happy to meet Deputies. In principle, we should do everything possible to draw down maximum funding from the EU when it is available. We can make arrangements to hold such a meeting.
I agree with the Minister that there has been a limited response within Northern Ireland to some of the overtures that have been made to promote co-opertion, but does he accept, because of the enormous benefits co-operation would bring to the people of the Republic and Northern Ireland, that both he and the Government should continue to pursue this matter as strongly as possible? Does he realise that many business interests in Northern Ireland do not have the reservations or inhibitions mentioned and that these matters can often come to fruition from small beginnings if one keeps at it?
As we all learnt many years ago, perseverantia vincit and I intend to persevere. I have had numerous meetings in the past 12 months with the joint council of the two business bodies, IBEC and its counterpart, which are doing tremendous work in this area. The business community is well aware of the opportunities that exist in many sectors in both parts of the island and will develop these to the full. The people at large need more information on the benefits to be gained through the elimination of duplication. It is our objective to continue to promote co-operation between North and South, particularly in the areas of commerce, trade and investment.
