Ms Michelle Gildernew:

I welcome the Minister of State. When Deputy Smith contributed he stated he would be brief as there were a number of areas and forums in which he could engage. I apologise for not being as brief as we do not have the engagement and forums like this to discuss issues and what we have is not what I would like it to be. I have been an MP for over ten years and my relationship with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been best when I have had the mobile telephone numbers of senior officials to whom I can speak, particularly at the weekends and evenings, when there are events in my constituency that require intervention or a contribution from the Department. Much work needs to be done with Northern representatives to develop relationships and have a point of contact. I have often been frustrated when constituents find themselves in difficulty in Australia or America, for example, but where I have insufficient means of contact with authorities. I would like to see us considering that process and how we can engage best. Is there a point of contact for Northern representatives and can we speak to somebody to resolve such issues expediently?

There are outstanding issues and my committee colleagues have listed a number of them. From a constituency perspective, I am interested in the road to Sligo, the Ulster Canal and the A5 road. I do not disagree with the comments of Deputies Smith and Conlan and certain issues must be moved forward for the development of all our people in the northern part of the island, regardless of the side of the Border on which people live.

Like Deputy Conlan, I can get frustrated as there is much potential for cross-Border work. The opportunities are significant in the health area. My party colleague, Ms Bairbre de Brún, MLA, as Health Minister implemented much work in the North-South process. The health items on the clár of the North-South Ministerial Council may look impressive but there is much more that can and should be done. It is a fundamental issue along Border counties and we must help to sustain a quality health service in the North of Ireland.

A major conference was organised by the Centre for Cross-Border Studies a couple of weeks ago which examined a proposed Border development zone that would increase investment in the region, allowing for greater flexibility and work for the communities along both sides of the Border. Is consideration being given to that and how does the Irish Government expect to view that proposal? I also agree with Deputy Conlan's comments regarding the heavy goods vehicle levy, which is absolutely ridiculous. It is a bit like the quarry tax as Westminster is introducing levies intended primarily for England and Wales, with Scotland tagged on, and we are not featured at all. As a republican, I am not too concerned about that but there is an impact on businesses in the North. The levy will create huge difficulties for logistics companies on the island. I know a levy for the South has also been considered but if there are two separate levies, there should be a derogation for trade North and South.

Deputy Smith mentioned the bill of rights and I have written to the British Government about that. I am very concerned that 15 years after the Good Friday Agreement, a bill of rights has not been progressed. There is also the issue of the undocumented. I attended a launch in Donegal at the weekend where this was raised but the issue is frequently aired. Families are separated because a person is living, working and having a family in America but cannot return for a funeral, wedding or to maintain family relationships. That is tragic. We all probably have relations effectively trapped abroad because they cannot get home so there is a real human rights issue involved.

I would like to hear more about reconciliation funding. I am not sure if the Minister of State is aware of the work of Fermanagh Trust on shared education. I do not want to go on too long but there is a school in Fermanagh that a few years ago saw protests about having a Catholic dinner lady. As a result of shared education it is now working co-operatively with the local Catholic school.

There have been major changes in that regard. Much more can be done. This work is not mainstream-funded from either side of the Border. It is funded through bodies like Atlantic Philanthropies. We are lobbying for that to continue.

Shared education is just one aspect of reconciliation. We are missing a trick here. We have a chance to develop educational opportunities across the Border. A model is being developed in west Fermanagh, Donegal and Leitrim, where schools are working more co-operatively across the Border. St. Mary's High School in Brollagh, which is talking to schools in Ballyshannon and Rossinver, is a case in point. We are still a little frustrated. There are opportunities in this area. If we mess about for another year or two, we might find that schools have closed and the opportunity has gone. I ask the members of the committee to speak to their colleagues in the education sector to see what more can be done to develop proper cross-Border work. A great deal can be done.

We want to engage with the committee on many issues. For example, people who are resident in the North have to transit through Dublin. I find it frustrating when I do not know where to go or to whom to talk about these issues. I would appreciate it if this could be considered. This is the only forum I have for discussions with the likes of the members of this committee. I would love to be in the Chamber across the way. We need to develop relationships and make sure we are working on behalf of all the people of the island in a way that is pragmatic, sensible, that saves money and gets the best quality results in areas like health, education and the economy. I thank the joint committee. I apologise for speaking for so long. I have to say I am not usually so long-winded. I had a lot to get off my chest.