Joe O'Reilly (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join the Chairman and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle in congratulating the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, and his team on their excellent work in Northern Ireland. I know from the remarks of our Chairman and other anecdotal information that he, in particular, put in a strong personal commitment and I thank him for it. It is appreciated. I also ask the Minister of State to convey our congratulations to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan.

Will the Minister of State elaborate on how the joint agency task force on crime will operate and who will be involved in it? Specifically, we have a real problem with fuel laundering, contraband cigarettes and a number of other illegal activities in the Border counties. There is a great ambition on the part of legitimate traders and others to deal with this issue. The Minister of State will appreciate that it is difficult enough for legitimate people to do business without having to compete with criminal gangs. It will be interesting to see how the agency will work.

There is concern that the policing of specific cross-Border crime such as fuel laundering and smuggling would displace ordinary, existing policing. Will the Minister of State assure us in that regard? There is a continuous concern that police would be drawn exclusively to Border areas and that areas such as Monaghan or, in particular, Cavan, given it is further away, would suffer as a consequence.

To follow up on the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's remarks about flood relief, we can thank God that part of Ireland was spared on this occasion. However, what happened in the Minister of State's part of the country is testimony to what can happen. It would be interesting if the Minister of State could elaborate on the matter. Are new moneys available and what will happen?

I am happy about the Ulster Canal initiative.

I notice in the Minister of State's document many references to the "north west", meaning Donegal. Cavan-Monaghan is not referenced and this region is as much in need of investment. I know it sounds parochial but we are here to do a little bit of parochial work as well. It will benefit from the peace initiatives and INTERREG and so forth but, at the same time, there is significant emphasis on the north west, meaning Donegal. We have no objection to the development of Donegal, which is needed, but all the areas along the Border corridor have suffered from the affects of the conflict in Northern Ireland. The entire area suffered in a litany of ways that the Minister of State knows only too well.

I again compliment the Minister of State on his personal work and commitment.