Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister for reflecting so positively. I share his hope that we will see the devolved administration back up and running very shortly, since we both recognise that it will be the critical catalyst for delivery of much of the content of the NDP and plans North and South. The Minister stated in his first response that he was not able to speculate on specific content, but perhaps I might explore one or two areas very briefly. In terms of strategic development, particularly the need for a strategic transport corridor to the north west which will have tremendous benefits for both this area and the Six Counties, and the need to develop in a co-ordinated fashion the N2-A5 transport route, which currently fails to properly assist and encourage economic growth in the serviced counties from here to Donegal and Derry, does the Minister anticipate that we will see real co-operation in terms of this type of infrastructural development, which has been highlighted recently in a number of fora at local authority level, both North and South? Unquestionably, there is cross-party and cross-community support for such an approach.

Is there any prospect of an all-Ireland environmental protection agency being established? The creation of such an agency has previously been mooted. Is this option being considered? What will be contained in the plan in terms of enabling people in the Border areas to access health services which are closest to them rather than being practically herded or driven towards a particular service entity within their respective jurisdictions? These areas include primary care, encompassing GP and out-of-hours services, for which a pilot project is signalled for this year, and hospital access and procedures, including accident and emergency services. The real benefits of this approach have yet to be realised. These are the areas that will prove the real potential of cross-Border co-operation and working together.

The common chapter of the national development plan for 2000-06 committed the Irish and UK Governments to integrating the divided telecommunications system. Despite the fact there have been some improvements in areas such as roaming charges, we still have what applied at the introduction of the last NDP in 2000. Is the current review taking on board areas that have not progressed as hoped? What further steps can the Minister take to realise the hopes and aspirations of the NDP launched in 2000? I welcome any elaboration by the Minister.

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