Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

In terms of what we are spending it is probably well worth the money. In fairness when the then Taoiseach, Mr. John Bruton, set it up, it was not just a money matter and was based on the cultural ties. Two marine technology agreements have been set up, there is film co-production between Ireland and Newfoundland and there have been technology transfers. We have saved the money we have spent many times over but the amount would not be enormous.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Memorial University in Newfoundland have a joint e-leanring course. There is also a joint masters in learning education technologies between the Institute of Technology Tralee and the university in Newfoundland. There have been scholarships and bursary schemes under seven awards, an Irish and Newfoundland poetry anthology has been published, and there are theatrical productions and many initiatives in trade and other areas. There is more two-way trade in the tourism business every year. While the numbers are not enormous, more people are taking an interest. That interest always existed but it has grown during the past decade.

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