Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

In the context of our discussions on North-South issues with the Northern Ireland Executive, we continually seek ways and means by which we can improve the business environment both North and South. As a result of different policy issues and structures, we look to ensure that political discussion between relevant Ministers and at North-South Ministerial Council level might be enabled to improve the promotion of trade and the creation of greater business liaison and connection between North and South. InterTrade Ireland has been a good forum for this type of discourse to promote common approaches where it is of mutual benefit. I understand the Deputy's hope of seeing a greater degree of all-Ireland approaches which would be to our mutual benefit. This is an ongoing agenda with the North-South dimension of the agreements. It is important to explore the means by which we could help each other.

There are, however, two different arrangements in place, jurisdictionally, when it comes to labour law and labour-dispute resolution. Obviously, we should always show the benefits of our arrangements and they can show the benefits of theirs so we can devise common approaches to close any gaps in the system. It is an ongoing issue but I do not underestimate some of the difficulties, some structural, some policy, in trying to have greater institutional interaction.

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