Dr. Anthony Soares:

I referred in my written submission to some of the work that has been done by various organisations, including those represented at today's meeting and InterTradeIreland. In 2014, we published a draft solidarity charter for the economic revitalisation of the Irish Border development corridor. Much of the work that is needed has been already done. The Border region needs to be examined strategically. It is not just about the negatives - it is also about the potential that exists, which cannot be grasped unless people are given the tools they need. I refer to tools like transport and infrastructure connectivity and links between policy makers on either side of the Border. As Deputy Martin Kenny has said, the UK Government needs to step up to the plate as the co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement. We do not have an Assembly or an Executive. The cross-Border networks, which are led by local authorities, are evidence of the willingness in Northern Ireland to engage with the opportunities presented by policies being developed on the other side of the Border. Those networks have to be given the tools and the freedom they need. In the absence of an Executive or an Assembly, the UK Government has to step up to the mark as co-guarantor of strand 2 of the Good Friday Agreement, as well as strands 1 and 3.