Written Answers. - Cross-Border Trade.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:
101
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
her views on the expansion of trade and business between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland; if she has met her counterpart in Northern Ireland to discuss this matter; if she has conducted any official trading business dealing with cross-Border activities since her appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[2307/98]
Enda Kenny
Ceist:
102
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the amount of assistance given to the Irish Trade Board and spent on cross-Border trading activities in the past three years; the volume of business conducted both ways; if she will commit herself in a real way to fostering on the foundations already built in cross-Border business; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[2308/98]
Enda Kenny
Ceist:
103
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
her views on how the fostering of cross-Border trade and business will be enabled to flourish as a consequence of the proposed cross-Border institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[2309/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 102 and 103 together. The most recent estimates of the volume of cross-Border business are as follows:
|
1995
|
1996
|
1997
|
|
(£m)
|
(£m)
|
(£m)
|
|
Exports
|
785
|
824
|
975(e)
|
|
Imports
|
651
|
643
|
703(e)
|
CSO estimates
I am very encouraged by these CSO estimates which show an 18 per cent increase in total North-South trade in 1997 compared to 1996. At this rate, North-South trade will be worth more than £1.6 billion for the whole of last year — up more than 50 per cent in the past five years. There are now more than 2,000 companies, North and South, with commercial contacts. In recent years in particular, the business community, North and South, has provided strong and courageous leadership in pointing to the economic price of conflict and instability and in urging a generous and pragmatic approach to reconciliation and comprehensive talks.
I assure the Deputy that I remain fully committed to ensuring that cross-Border co-operation on economic matters is fully developed in the lifetime of this Government and the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Tom Kitt, will shortly visit his counterpart in Northern Ireland to discuss ideas on further enhancing cross-Border trade. Deputy Kitt will also be involved in An Bord Tráchtála's trade promotion programme as part of their Ireland market strategy and officials of my Department will be fully engaged in the policy issues related to increasing cross-Border trade and investment.
The nature, role and functions of North-South structures are matters currently under discussion within the talks process and it would not be appropriate to comment on them in detail at this time. I have no doubt, however, that any new structures emerging as part of a comprehensive settlement would facilitate increased North-South trade. Furthermore, the putting in place of an agreement across the three strands, and the resulting consolidation of peace on the island, would in themselves generate an impetus for increased commercial and economic activity. I consider that this peace dividend could itself in turn be a guarantor of the sustainable peace which is the common objective of all parties engaged in the talks process.
A total of £104 million was provided by the Exchequer to An Bord Tráchtála for the marketing of Irish goods and services in the three year period 1995-97. It is a matter for the board of An Bord Tráchtála, in accordance with section 6(1) of the Trade and Marketing Promotion Act, 1991, to determine, within the overall grant allocation, expenditure in individual markets, including any expenditure on the development of cross-Border trade with Northern Ireland.
