Mr. Michael D'Arcy:

I thank the Deputy. I have been on this pitch for quite some time. One of the key differences is that in previous appearances before the committee I was talking about the possibility of economies of scale and proximity and conditions but now we can talk about that as a proven principle rather than having to promote it. As Mr. O’Brien mentioned, few people would have imagined the hard numbers, such as heading towards €10 billion in cross-Border trade. Even driving to Belfast is extraordinarily different now in terms of the volume of traffic along the way. As the Chairman is not in the committee room, we will not discuss County Louth. It used to be the case that there was a fall-off after Dundalk and it was very quiet until Newry, when it would pick up again until Belfast, but now it is busy all the way along the corridor. What we are building on here is the fact that businesses, individuals and communities are into this new phase of interaction with each other on the island. The key word there is "new" in the context of a joined-up North-South policy framework. Of course, the original joined-up framework is in strand 2 of the agreement. A significant amount of research and development work was done prior to the conclusion of the agreement. The formation of the Single Market and the ceasefire created possibilities for business and people to engage in more North-South interaction, with the stability of the institution, principles and processes that were provided. We are now in a position of strength. That is key.

Another point is that having come to deal with the reality of the UK now being out of the EU, we have the protocol and relative stability. One can see the confidence that has given business to underpin this new all-island model with investment, additional activity, growth and so on. It is about how policy can strengthen that movement and support it in a positive and progressive way.

I will quickly walk the committee through some of the key areas of the report. Energy has not been mentioned thus far. It is vital. It covers all three strands. The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in its communiqué last week referred to beginning work in this new energy space in respect of renewables and so on, which, of course, are entirely interconnected not just North-South but also east-west and between this island and the Continent. There is that triangularity of connectivity that is underpinned by regulation, as Mr. O'Brien stated, and there are the economies of scale and so on and all the opportunities of renewable energy.

The Deputy mentioned transport infrastructure. The key in that context was always return on investment and economy of scale in the context of an island of 7 million people rather than 2 million in the North and 5 million in the South. The North's 2 million population is an even smaller number from an investment perspective than the 5 million population here. Combining the two is a mutual benefit from a Northern Ireland perspective.

In terms of research and development, in an all-island context there is Science Foundation Ireland and the work of the universities. Academics are sharing knowledge and experience and developing in the unique conditions of the island. That is the case in the context of veterinary, as the Deputy stated, and in medicine, such as in the field of cardiology. This was identified in the 2013 report. It is about excellence. It makes more sense to have one centre of excellence for the island rather than having two such centres, especially in specialist areas.

We mentioned FDI, in which the Deputy has a particular interest. We now have the model of Tourism Ireland relating to the promotion of FDI. Internationally, companies seek to invest in the island as a whole. There are difficulties with agencies and so on but it is surely possible to work out a way of presenting that, particularly in the context of sectors like agrifood that are connected to the experience economy and tourism. We need a new narrative within which we can work to present to an international audience and to use the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in that regard, particularly in the United States, where there is a sharp focus on how the US can continue to support the process at the political level. Being able to communicate that to the business community would be positive.

To tackle the hard nut, people often state that unionism will not engage but I know from my work with the Joint Business Council that businesses, irrespective of the personal convictions of their chief executives, will follow the money and the opportunity. It is important to have opportunities to connect with the business people on the ground who are doing the hard work to make their place more productive but are running into obstacles and difficulties. Anything that can be done to provide such support from this side of the Border is important.

I have been reappointed to the programme management committee. The PEACEPLUS programme is an important opportunity to build on what the shared island unit is doing. There is Science Foundation Ireland and so on. This sends a signal to those in the business community that the two states, the EU and the British Government are getting behind the work they are doing to make this investment and to grow their businesses. As Mr. O'Brien stated, it is important that this is done in a way that takes account of the all-island labour market and the current needs, particularly in the context of climate action. Members will be aware that I highlighted at the launch that the legislation in the North requires the authorities there to account of targets here but, as I understand it, the legislation here does not currently have a similar requirement. Where we are planning our own future, there should always be a North-South all-island ingredient in the mix. It will not always make sense. We cannot say that it makes sense in all areas. We have to evaluate on a case-by-case basis but it should always be an ingredient that is on the table when the policy is being put together and consideration is being given to how that should happen.