Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have a supplementary question for the Minister. The general view that a policy fault line exists there is on the basis that there is no synergy with regard to North-South policy developments, policy implementation or capital infrastructure development.

InterTradeIreland is always held up as the solution in this sphere. However, the organisation is almost 20 years old and, as the Minister indicated, the INTERREG programme dates back to 1990. This is not a dynamic space in terms of the development of synergies. What is required is back-to-back policy development, of which Tourism Ireland is a perfect example. The Wild Atlantic Way and the Ireland's Ancient East route both stop at the Border.

The joint committee heard interesting evidence that innovation, exports and key pathways to trade arise from partnerships and the brokerage of partnerships. The Minister stated that if organisations would like to get together they should do so. The committee, on the other hand, is trying to understand what can be done to institutionalise and enforce synergies from a policy perspective, as opposed to allowing them to develop almost despite the existence of the committee. We want to be the engine for the development of synergies, rather than a neutral observer. There is adequate and detailed evidence to support the view that innovation and exports are developed from partnerships. What practical actions are taking place in policy development synergy, North and South, between the two Departments?