Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 12 November 2020

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement

Shared Island Unit: Department of the Taoiseach

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raised this issue because the Taoiseach made it very clear that he was referring to the Border counties and the jobs initiatives. He very clearly put an emphasis on jobs in Border counties. I accept what Ms O'Donoghue is saying but I would like to see what the Department's plan is in this regard because the Taoiseach's speech was for and on behalf of the shared island unit. I assume there will be additional funding for job creation in the Border counties. I would like more information on that.

With regard to infrastructure, improving the rail link is fantastic but the important thing that needs to be done is electrifying the rail system between Dublin and Belfast. That is one of the major projects. While it will create jobs locally, possibly in the context of supplying and tendering for material, etc., the reality is that these train services will probably operate on a non-stop basis. It is hugely important to emphasise local job creation.

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