Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the members of ICBAN to the meeting. I apologise, as I missed the start of the meeting. I was speaking on a Commencement matter in the Seanad on mica.

I am aware of the great work done by the organisation through the years with politicians from all persuasions working in collaboration. It is a good example of how this country can come together and make politics work. I believe the collaboration between ICBAN and the shared island unit is important. I apologise for missing many of contributions. I would have liked to be present, but I could not be. However, I have listened to the contributions since.

Mr. Campbell referred to some of the infrastructure projects that are politically acceptable on the ground. I want to leave the witnesses with one point today. As a Government representative and the spokesperson on Northern Ireland for Fianna Fáil, I want them to feel free to contact me or my office on any project. I am sure the same is true of Deputy Brendan Smith and Senator McGreehan. At the end of the day, it is politics that make projects work and that is what we want to do.

That is how the regions are going to prosper, whether it is infrastructurally, or through the collaboration to which the other Donegal man, Mr. Doherty, and others referred. That is how the regions are going to prosper. I ask the witnesses to get in touch with us if there is any help we can give in respect of contact with the shared island unit. I am sure other colleagues-----