Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I share the Deputy's view. There are unique opportunities for continued development in an all-island, cross-Border sense. The area of tourism and trade has always been central to this. The peace bridge, with its iconic symbol, is symbolic of the distance people have travelled in Northern Ireland in general and Derry in particular. The opening of the bridge also symbolises the extent of co-operation and assistance provided by our European colleagues. It was great that Commissioner Hahn was present at the opening to see at first hand the enthusiasm of people and the distance Derry has travelled. The city is now a centre of energetic vibrancy and is looking forward to fulfilling its role as city of culture 2013. The arrangements being made in this regard are first class.

Developments at Altnagelvin Hospital, where I met many cancer patients, have brought a conclusion to a very long saga. The Government intends to follow through on the commitment made by the previous Government on this matter. The statement from the Minister, Edwin Poots, confirming that Altnagelvin Hospital will have a radiotherapy unit has been sealed, as it were, by a commitment made by the Irish Government. The allocation provided for completion of the radiotherapy unit is of the order of €19 million. It is important to note that staff at Altnagelvin Hospital point out that the unit is not only for Derry but for the north west as a whole as up to 30% of those who will attend the unit will be from County Donegal, as is right and proper.

I see huge scope for further interaction in a cross-Border sense. I hope Ministers here and from the Executive, both in their informal connections and in the sectoral areas they will pursue between this and the next formal meeting, will start to focus on areas where co-operation is possible and there will be cost savings and mutual benefits as a consequence. Education is clearly one such area, although there are different certification and qualification standards in place and these are always difficult to level out between professionals, as the Deputy will understand. There are myriad things that can happen in everybody's interest and I support that.

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