Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome Taoiseach's very positive message and his detailed presentation. The shared island strategy will build on the benefits the island generates from the Good Friday Agreement. Importantly, it can also harness the potential of the Agreement. It is not just a strategy, but a strategy underpinned by substantial public funding. A total of €3.5 billion is committed in the NDP for all-island development up to 2030. The Taoiseach stated there would be at least €1 billion this decade for the shared island initiative. That is fabulous funding, which can do an enormous amount across all sectors in our society. What he has outlined are not just ambitious but realisable projects. I very much welcome that the unit is funding local authorities. In our engagement with departmental officials previously, we discussed the great corporate knowledge and know-how in local authorities in the Border region. I am pleased that will be harnessed.

The Taoiseach also mentioned comhoibriú idir oideachasóirí at higher education level. I previously discussed with him the potential for the development of more structured co-operation on an all-Ireland basis in the provision of further education. I mentioned the potential for Cavan Institute with our neighbouring college, South West College in Enniskillen. I believe we need a strategy for further education. As we know, many of the people who may have underachieved at younger stages in life, go through the route of progressing to further education and getting third level degrees and even higher qualifications. Further education is very important in dealing with disadvantage and with skills deficits in some areas.

The Taoiseach also mentioned research hubs. Since 1998 on our island, enterprise and commerce have gone ahead and done a considerable amount on an all-Ireland basis. Some colleagues here will realise that in Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh, south Tyrone and Armagh we have seen the interdependence of business and commerce. In my home region, agrifood, engineering and construction projects are key drivers of economic development North and South of the Border. I would like to see funding for enterprise centres not just research centres, but centres where workspace would be provided.

I very much welcome that the shared island unit is involving sectors, not just a limited 80 or 90 people mulling over every subject. It is going out to young people and to different groups with particular interests in different subjects and involving them in putting forward suggestions for how they want to see our island develop on all-island, cross-border basis. I very much welcome the Taoiseach's presentation.