Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

It seems difficult to pinpoint exactly what gains there may be although I wish the partnership a fair wind. Is the Taoiseach aware that there is a strong co-operative movement in Newfoundland and Labrador and that the Government there and the federation of co-operatives provide financial assistance to the co-op sector in establishing and sustaining viable communities based on local ownership and democratic control? The province has a total of 70 co-ops with a membership in excess of 57,000.

Nowhere in the Taoiseach's reply about the partnership did he refer to that significant sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. Is there any co-op sector involvement in the partnership? Has this country learned anything from the Newfoundland-Labradorean approach to the co-operative sector, which is a significant factor in their economy? What lessons can be learned from their experience that can be applied to the Irish co-operative sector to enhance and sustain it as it is also a very important part of our economy?

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