Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The location is just a matter of convenience for co-ordination and co-operation. Its location does not really matter because it is chaired by a Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the subhead could be in any Department. It straddles a number of Departments. Two officials are involved in the partnership on a full-time basis and we are trying to keep staffing levels to a minimum to keep it co-ordinated. It covers business and educational areas. Much work has been done on fisheries given its expertise in marine and research matters. From what I have read and seen, it has done much work that is valuable not only to Departments but to those involved in marine and fisheries matters.

There is a permanent exhibit on Newfoundland at the Waterford Museum of Treasures which was opened by President McAleese. There have been a number of trade missions which have helped a number of companies which have started to trade with each other. I do not have figures for the volume but I expect it is not enormous.

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