Seán Conlan (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State indicated the Government's strong commitment to an all-Ireland economy and its support of reconciliation. The Government is committed to implementing all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement and Deputy Smith has correctly mentioned the big ticket items in developing an all-Ireland economy. In the long run these would include the Narrow Water Bridge, the Ulster Canal, the A5 road and various other projects that are symbolic of development.

As a Government in Ireland, we are falling down in doing the basic stuff right in this regard. There is no point building a running track if we do not have running shoes. We have not developed proper cross-Border health care services, for example. We are trying to achieve the goal and although there is much discussion, it has not yet been reached despite the time elapsed since the peace process began. This should not be a political matter and we should reach that goal to benefit communities along the Border which are at a loss because neither Government is examining the issue seriously enough and moving it forward.

Deputy Smith mentioned big ticket items but what about the local road infrastructure that has not been developed over 20 years? It is crazy that after 20 years in a peace process we still do not have a decent road between Armagh and Monaghan. There is no push North or South for that to happen, and there is no link between county councils and the roads service in Northern Ireland to address the issue. In PEACE I there was a basic movement to reopen Border roads but rather than examining big ticket items, perhaps we should seek to develop local road infrastructure, which can lead local businesses to develop and thrive. That has not been done. The straight road between Newry and Enniskillen goes through Monaghan town but the road has not been developed in 20 years. I do not see any push from Departments in the South to do anything about that. The Minister of State referred to the development of an all-Ireland policy and as part of that we must consider the basic areas that have been totally neglected.

There is a real issue for hauliers in the Republic of Ireland because of transport networks. The UK is to introduce a system of taxation for foreign vehicles and there will be a major effect for Donegal hauliers or people from the Republic bringing goods and services into the area if a tariff must be paid going through Tyrone. If I want to go to Cavan or Dundalk from Monaghan, I must go through Fermanagh or Armagh, so there should be a derogation applying to these routes to ensure hauliers are not penalised when taking products from one county to the next.

These are fundamental issues to be addressed by this Government with the UK Government to ensure there can be economic benefits for people living along the Border. We must ensure this peace process does not pass us by or be seen as a Dublin or Belfast issue rather than something for the people along the Border. The issue must be addressed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and others. That should happen sooner rather than later. If we can deal effectively with these issues now rather than leaving them on the long finger because we are concerned with big ticket items, we would do more to advance and develop reconciliation along the Border. When people trade and can see economic benefit from the political process, they will buy into it completely. Along the Border we must see tangible benefits from the process, so the basics must be considered before we move to major projects.