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

The witnesses are all very welcome. It is very interesting to hear what they have to say. As somebody from Monaghan, I know that we have similar issues on the Monaghan, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh borders. I am very interested in how the witnesses have come together as councillors in the north west because I would like to see the same level of interaction between ourselves. It seems to be further advanced in the north west but the area still has the problems in terms of connectivity between Lifford, Letterkenny and Strabane and between Strabane and Derry. What have been the major roadblocks because the witnesses are very well organised as councils? What have been the major problems in terms of getting co-operation between road services in Northern Ireland and the county council in Donegal or other organisations to ensure that the peace dividend does exist for ordinary people and that we can get better co-operation between our respective jurisdictions in terms of road infrastructure, health care or education provision to ensure that ordinary people's lives are improved by the process? Where do the real problems exist? Is it a case of lack of willpower at government in both the UK and the Northern Ireland Assembly and here? What are the main blocks to further integration?