Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I am concerned that whereas the main items in the St. Andrews Agreement have been implemented, with the restoration of the Assembly, the establishment of the Executive and the transfer of policing functions, the agreement dates from 2006 and with regard to the question of the establishment of the forum and the related issue of the establishment of the North-South interparliamentary body, referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 18, the discussions seem to go on and on. I am very much in favour of both bodies because we have shared problems and I have no doubt there can be shared solutions. I see great potential for economic co-operation, cross-Border trade and shared responses to social issues and joint efforts to promote tolerance and understanding.

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