Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Last year, I had the opportunity to develop the first all-island economy document to be produced by the Oireachtas. I got to speak to some of the organisations present today on it from which I got great information for which I thank them. I spoke to approximately 100 organisations, groups and individuals including trade unions, cross-Border studies groups, farmers, business people, the Confederation of British Industry and so on. All were of the view that if we plan, fund and deliver services together on the island of Ireland, typically they will be more efficient and will serve the citizens North and South better. First, is it not the case that we do not do that at present and there are major gaps and spaces available to us? While we have Altnagelvin, the cancer treatment centre, emergency helicopters in places and so on, really the approach to that kind of delivery, North and South, is haphazard at best. Second, is it not the case this space is under major threat at the end of this negotiation period?