Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I thank all Deputies for their co-operation in facilitating the passage of this Bill and, in particular, for their encouraging and positive comments on Northern Ireland affairs. As political representatives of all the parties and groupings in this House, they clearly reflected the unity of purpose in all our collective efforts to promote North-South co-operation and enhance peace and prosperity throughout the island, particularly in the North.

This technical Bill is important in giving domestic legal effect to the international agreement between the British and Irish Governments and securing the mandate of the Special EU Programmes Body, SEUPB, in managing cross-Border EU funds. Through its support for projects on a cross-community and cross-Border basis, the SEUPB has brought together groups and individuals who would otherwise have no contact. Moreover, it has ensured that these groups work together to build a better economic future for their communities based on reconciliation and mutual understanding. It has made a significant contribution to the economic and social development of the Border region.

The two Governments look forward to the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive on 26 March in line with the St. Andrews Agreement. The Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, met yesterday to review developments and the two Governments continue to work closely with the parties to see this process successfully completed. In recent weeks, there have been signs of further progress towards power-sharing in Northern Ireland. The transitional Assembly is up and running and the parties are getting down to the serious business of preparing for government in the Programme for Government Committee.

The St. Andrews Agreement is built on the core foundations of full support for a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland and for policing and the rule of law. We want the DUP and Sinn Féin to move quickly to address outstanding issues. Northern Ireland deserves a devolved government, with locally elected Ministers, to get on with the business of addressing the significant challenges it faces in a globally competitive world. Political stability is the bedrock on which economic growth and prosperity can be built.

The Government is driving forward North-South co-operation because we believe that by working together, North and South, we can deliver significant benefits for all the people on the island. We are taking forward economic co-operation across a range of sectors, from infrastructure to trade promotion to innovation. This is a vitally important agenda for the future of this island. We look forward in particular to working with Northern Ireland Ministers on these issues and to a resumption of the North-South Ministerial Council, NSMC. With the NSMC meeting again, all the bodies, including the SEUPB, will be able to operate to their full potential.

Members raised several important issues during this debate and I will respond to as many as possible in the time available. Several questions were asked about institutional issues and, in particular, the North-South Implementation Bodies. Upon restoration of the Executive, meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council will resume and the North-South bodies will be able to operate without the restraints imposed on them during suspension of the institutions. The Government will work to progress North-South co-operation with the Northern Ireland Ministers in the restored Executive.

The legislation enacted two weeks ago incorporates several specific safeguards to ensure the North-South institutions can function effectively. For example, the revised pledge of office will require Northern Ministers to participate fully in the NSMC and where a Minister cannot attend, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister are to nominate a replacement.

We engaged in close discussions with the British Government in the lead-up to the St. Andrews Agreement and those discussions are ongoing. The St. Andrews Agreement and British legislation set out certain matters that require to be considered and agreed by the Executive Committee, and this would also apply to any NSMC decisions falling within those agreed provisions. The nature and content of the decision will determine whether matters should be considered and agreed in the Executive Committee or whether they are within ministerial decision-making. The Government is determined to ensure an effective and fully functioning North-South Ministerial Council. We want balanced, fair, even-handed, inclusive and positive decisions in the interests of all the people in Northern Ireland and in the Border region. Deputy Ó Caoláin expressed doubts as to the Government's commitment to the Ulster Canal project. He should reflect on the late 1980s when, as a Minister of State I had responsibility for the Office of Public Works, which was the manager of the first ever North-South project, the Ballinamore-Ballyconnell Canal. The project was led by the then Taoiseach, the late Charles Haughey, with the full support of the Cabinet and particularly the then Minister for Finance, Ray MacSharry. If it did not have that leadership and drive, it would never have happened. It was a major project on North-South co-operation.

Similarly, the Taoiseach is driving the Ulster Canal project. He recently announced an ambitious project to restore and re-open the canal. This will create a major inland waterway for the Border region, serving as a focus for tourism and community development.

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