Mr. Francie Molloy:

I thank Mr. McDonnell for his presentation. In the Mid Ulster constituency I represent, and in Tyrone in general, the engineering sector is a big player with regard to economic development. It came about largely because of unemployment west of the Bann and local people trying to create employment in the area. They created industry out of this. There has been very successful exporting around the world. By and large, they did it on their own. There was little or no support from government, North or South, with regard to how it developed. In fact, most of the engineering companies received no support from any government investment source. The Governments were more interested in inward investment and trying to get industry in there. Most of the companies here are from the US and countries throughout Europe. Is there an angle whereby we can encourage North-South trade more by supporting and investing in sectors such as engineering?

Many of the regulations south of the Border are curtailing people with regard to their qualifications and employment practices. The regulations are different in the South. People working in various ways in trades are finding their jobs are being restricted. The same qualifications and regulations as in the North do not apply and they are not recognised in the South. Do Mr. McDonnell's members find this? Does it curtail businesses in various ways in how they operate North and South? How do we create an economic corridor to allow businesses to operate on both sides of the Border without restrictions? I am speaking about harmonisation, more or less, of the regulations North and South to prepare for Irish unification in such a situation.