The Taoiseach:

The point is well made. Investment in infrastructure helps the economy. For example, investment in the train service means there are now hourly services between Dublin and Belfast. This has real economic impact. There is an enterprise strand to the shared island fund. It took a bit longer to get going because of difficulties with matching funding, particularly in the north west. We are now looking at further investment in enterprise in the central Border area, so anything that increases connectivity, and infrastructure can help us. There is also greater engagement between local authorities. We funded projects that involved approximately 25 local authorities with a view to them coming up with pipeline projects that would improve the economy of the areas of those local authorities. The A5 is a classic case, even though the funding is coming out of the Department of Transport and not necessarily the shared island fund. Under the shared island fund we are looking at an air link between Derry and Dublin. It would be a PSO route funded out of the shared island fund. This would be an important economic connection.

There is a role for the shared island unit in facilitating continued economic growth and adding to it, primarily through investment in infrastructure and then the enterprise strand, which we are already working on and in which we have already invested some money.