Vol. 521 No. 5
91 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans for the development of the North-South body for trade and enterprise and the provision of a dynamic management to ensure maximum benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17702/00]
The Trade and Business Development Body is one of six implementation bodies established under the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999. The focus of the body is on enhancing co-operation on business development opportunities North and South.
At the first meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council, trade and business development sector, held in Newry on 24 January 2000, the council agreed an indicative timetable for a number of key issues which would be brought to the council this year by the management board of the body. These issues included a year 2000 action plan, a code of conduct for board members, a proposed staffing structure, including terms and conditions of service, and a statement of accounts and annual report.
Following the suspension of the Northern Executive and Assembly in February of this year and the subsequent deferral of board meetings of the body, due to difficulties experienced in the peace process, progress on a number of those matters has been slower than originally anticipated. The Northern Executive and Assembly were restored on 30 May 2000. The board met on 1 June 2000 and the second meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council, trade and business development sector, will be held in County Dublin on 30 June. At this meeting, Ministers will consider a number of proposals relating to the activities of the trade and business development body and will deal with a number of administrative matters arising from its establishment.
