Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Hunter McGowan and Mr. Gough and compliment them on their work. They say that InterTradeIreland is 14 years in existence. The Acumen programme was running in Ballyconnell more than 14 years ago, so it probably predated the political progress made at the end of the 1990s and the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

I am glad the witnesses have highlighted the significant potential and value of North-South business and co-operation. This presentation dovetails with our earlier discussion on the need to improve infrastructure. Most of us have had the opportunity to attend different events and to meet different companies. I am aware of companies in my area of Cavan-Monaghan that have worked with InterTradeIreland through different programmes and that they value its contribution strongly.

A number of North-South implementation bodies were established by the Good Friday Agreement. We need to progress this in the all-island context for the good of the people of the 32 counties. What potential is there or what is the next step required for InterTradeIreland, or a similar venture, to develop business and trade? At this stage, some 15 years on from the Good Friday Agreement, we should be moving towards additional North-South bodies.

We recognise the potential for further co-operation in the food sector. Over the years in the agriculture sector, even before the valuable progress emanating from the Good Friday Agreement, there has been huge co-operation on the island of Ireland between the two Departments and the agencies. This co-operation is ongoing in the farming, food and agri-sector. Therefore, there may not be a need for a formal structure as the agencies North and South work well together. We need greater emphasis on exports. As mentioned, the pathway to exporting for many of our SMEs is to our neighbouring jurisdiction. This message must be delivered and supported.

Mention was made of programme 7 of the EU. We are all aware that substantial funding over the past decade or 15 years has gone into research, innovation and development, but there is not a quick return on that investment. A return on such investment takes time and some of the investment that took place eight or ten years ago is only paying dividends today in areas of business and economic activity. I am aware from our Departments and statutory agencies that they have been successful in sourcing funding from programme 7 and its predecessors. However, some of the schemes and funding are only available when two jurisdictions or separate Administrations support the application. In some cases three different member states must support applications.

Is InterTradeIreland satisfied enough is being done to source additional funding from Europe for our island? The President of the European Commission has often emphasised the need to fund adequately the research and development programme Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn has charge of. This is an opportune time to emphasise the need to ensure the potential draw down for our country is maximised through co-operation North and South and between the different statutory agencies.