Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

There is a fair degree of co-operation in regard to public health issues and there is an all-island approach in regard to health research. There is also a greater degree of collaboration between universities in that area and in other research areas. The Hillsborough agreement provides the means by which we can provide more stability in the institutions and a greater degree of openness to explore the potential for this sort of co-operation.

It is true I have indicated at North-South Ministerial Council plenaries my belief that the potential of the agreement can be explored to a greater extent than it is currently. The work agenda to which we are working in terms of the areas with which we are dealing still remains closely associated with that set out in 1998. There are many other areas which should be positively discussed. A review is taking place currently on the North-South issues.

With the confidence that has been built up and the fact that mutual benefit is the criterion on which we are focused, there is no reason, in particular given the difficult times we face and the need for collaboration, synergies cannot be established in a range of areas that would be good for taxpayers, North and South. I refer specifically to hospital services. Under the national cancer strategy, the north west is being catered for by way of co-operation with Altnagelvin and elsewhere. It is all about sensible, pragmatic co-operation which is, in many ways, the norm in Border counties at councillor and other levels. The CAIT initiative has meant that people with renal problems in Cooley could go to Newry for services rather than to Dublin. There is a range of practical, simple things that affect the quality of life of many people and where a co-operative, an innovative and a creative approach is adopted. More of that needs to take place.

That sort of sensible co-operation does more to show peace is the way forward than anything else. All the political rhetoric in the world will not replace that sense of sensible, practical co-operation in a range of areas which is not being exploited to the extent it could be. I hope the political will is developing within the Northern Ireland institutions to see that as a way forward for mutual benefit and not part of some surreptitious agenda.

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