John Bruton
Ceist:1 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting in Ireland with the Premier of Newfoundland, Mr. Brian Tobin [10833/99]
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Visit of Newfoundland Premier.
The Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Brian Tobin and Mrs. Tobin, visited Ireland from 17 to 23 April. The main purpose of the premier's visit was to lead a business mission to Ireland. He was accompanied by his Ministers for Industry, Trade and Technology and Justice and Finance.
The business mission took place pursuant to the memorandum of understanding concluded between the Government of Ireland and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1996. This memorandum of understanding was concluded during the period of office of the Administration headed by Deputy John Bruton, in recognition that this province of Canada has the highest proportion of people of Irish descent of any area of settlement world-wide, and because of the commonalties and the potential for mutual benefit for the two participants. The mission was organised by Ireland Business Partnerships, which were set up in Newfoundland by Premier Tobin to implement the Memorandum of Understanding. It was done in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs, with considerable input from Enterprise Ireland. The mission, which also involved the St. John's Board of Trade, included a wide range of companies with a particular focus on information technology, environmental technologies, tourism and film-making. Pre-matching of companies had taken place so that each company had a tailored itinerary of focused meetings in pre-identified areas, in numerous locations around the country, including Galway, Waterford, Cork and Dublin.
I hosted breakfast for the Premier and senior members of his delegation on Monday 19 April. I reiterated to them the commitment I gave when I took office in 1997 to continue to progress the objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding. On Wednesday 21 April I hosted a State reception at Dublin Castle for the Premier, the visiting business delegation and those on the Irish side with whom they are now discussing or doing business. Prior to the reception the Premier and I signed a re–affirmation of the Memorandum of Understanding. A number of business deals and agreements between Irish companies and organisations and companies from Newfoundland and Labrador were also signed at that time. I am also informed that following on from the week-long intensive series of meetings between Newfoundland and Irish companies, a number of further significant agreements are likely to result to the benefit of both sides.
Following discussions with the Premier, I undertook to support a strong reciprocal business mission to Newfoundland – probably later this year. It is envisaged that this mission will be led by the Minister of State with responsibility for International Trade, Deputy Tom Kitt.
The feedback from the businesses participating in the delegation was very positive. Premier Tobin himself was delighted with the outcome of the Mission which he described as the most successful business mission by a Newfoundland and Labrador delegation to any destination ever.
I welcome the fact that there will be a reciprocal mission going to Newfoundland led by the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt. Is any work being done on possible co-operation between Ireland and Newfoundland regarding the development of our respective offshore oil and gas resources given the development of the Hibernia field off Newfoundland and similar developments off the west coast of Ireland? Are technological co-operation possibilities in this area being explored?
Yes. The environmental technology people on the delegation had discussions with their Irish counterparts. I know there will be further contact and people who deal with this area will be on the Irish delegation. As a result of their vast experience and success with large offshore oil fields and lead and zinc mining in the Canadian provinces, the Canadian delegation was anxious to discuss this and it was mentioned to me on a number of occasions. They had private meetings on this matter while they were here.
Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, to explore the possibility of closer co-operation between Ireland and Newfoundland in the area of fish farming, given the serious depletion of natural fish stocks off Newfoundland? There is a need both here and there to develop fish farming so that there will be an alternative source of supply for our products, which are in great demand worldwide.
I will raise that with the Minister of State. The Minister of State at the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Byrne, has been to Newfoundland for discussions but I will also mention it to the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt.