Vol. 512 No. 4
103 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the suitability of towns within Inishowen for locating the North-South Implementation Bodies in view of its Border location and the history of difficulties it has had attracting investment, due in large part to its geographical location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26405/99]
As the Deputy will be aware from previous responses to questions on the possible locations of the headquarters and offices of the new implementation bodies, it has not been possible up to now, in the absence of the necessary political and institutional context, to take decisions on these matters. Such decisions are for the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, working together in the North-South Ministerial Council, to take.
The implementation bodies and the North-South Ministerial Council have now been established, as of 2 December and the council will have its inaugural plenary meeting on Monday next, 13 December. The question of the headquarters and locations of the bodies will be on the agenda for that meeting, and I am hopeful that agreement will be reached.
Much preparatory work has already been done at official level and a variety of potential locations have been examined in both jurisdictions. Among the factors taken into account have been the need for the equitable allocation of locations as between North and South, and within the two jurisdictions, bearing in mind the limited number of bodies; the functions and activities of the bodies; and the current location of staff carrying out pre-existing functions which have been transferred to the bodies.
However, as no decisions have been taken the Deputy will, I am sure, appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to anticipate the discussions in the North-South Ministerial Council by elaborating further.
