Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to open this debate on the 44th plenary meeting of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, BIPA, which was held in the Seanad Chamber earlier this week. I understand this is the first occasion on which Dáil time has been specifically set aside to discuss the outcome of a plenary meeting of the assembly. It is only right that this should be so.

The assembly has a long and distinguished history since its establishment in 1990 as the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body. It has brought together parliamentarians from the Oireachtas and Westminster and, since its expansion in 2001, the Northern Ireland, Welsh and Scottish Assemblies and the Parliaments of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. It provides a forum for representatives of the people of these islands to discuss matters of mutual concern and work together in finding imaginative and co-operative solutions to the challenges we all face. It has also been a significant tool in deepening mutual understanding and building friendships between parliamentarians from the various jurisdictions. These relationships, built on foundations of trust, respect and admiration which are established in the shared experience of participation at assembly meetings, have proved invaluable in fostering reconciliation and the resolution of conflict on this island. In that respect, I note the important contribution made by the BIPA to the successes of the peace process in recent decades.

Perhaps the most important role played by the assembly has been to allow members the opportunity to consider the dynamics of the British-Irish relationship and examine ways of deepening that relationship. As such, this last meeting could not have come at a more opportune time. It was exactly one year ago today that Queen Elizabeth arrived at Casement Aerodrome at the start of her historic state visit to Ireland. I recall greeting her as she stepped onto Irish soil and the sense of historic occasion that accompanied the various elements of her visit with which we are so familiar. In recent months the British and Irish Governments have worked hard to build on the success of that visit. The relationship between our islands has reached a new maturity and an unprecedented level of respect and co-operation. The joint communiqué on the future of British-Irish relations issued by the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Cameron following their summit meeting in March was ground-breaking. It was a forward-looking statement identifying key areas for co-operation between our countries in the decade ahead. It was, notably, the first such statement that was not in large part concerned with the situation in Northern Ireland.

That is not to say Northern Ireland has diminished in importance. On the contrary, the joint statement reiterates the commitment of the two Governments to the full implementation of the agreements and supporting the Executive in the ongoing process of reconciliation, with the goal of creating a cohesive, shared and integrated society in Northern Ireland. However, it is because such startling successes have been achieved in the peace process so far that our relationship with Britain no longer needs to be defined primarily with Northern Ireland. The visit of Queen Elizabeth last year symbolised the normalisation of relations between these islands. The challenge before us is to identify new bases on which to develop the British-Irish partnership and the joint statement sets out the way forward in that regard.

Next year Britain and Ireland will celebrate 40 years of working together as partners in Europe. Last week marked the 40th anniversary of the referendum on Irish accession to the then EEC. The opportunity to work together as equals in such a key multilateral organisation played a large part in our ability to come together as equals bilaterally. The joint statement prioritises the need for us to work together to support the development of an outward facing European Union which promotes job creation and growth.

More often than not in international fora, we find ourselves on the same side of the argument as the British Government when addressing global challenges. I was personally struck by the importance of such a close working relationship when I attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday, which prevented my joining the meeting in Leinster House. It was through co-operation with Britain, and other partners, in that forum that we were able to reach agreement on what I consider was an important statement on the Middle East peace process, as well as other issues. The joint statement identifies the need for continued close co-operation between Britain and Ireland within the European Union and other multilateral organisations.

The most pressing task facing all of us, east and west, in addition to North and South, is dealing with the economic crisis. As legislators during these difficult times, our primary focus must be on the creation of jobs and the promotion of economic growth to secure the prosperity and well-being of the citizens of these islands. It is inconceivable that we would even begin to address this challenge without looking, in the first instance, to our economic relationship with Britain, our largest and most significant trading partner. The mutual dependence of our economies is widely recognised on both sides of the Irish Sea. Prime Minister Cameron has noted that British exports to Ireland outstrip those to the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China, BRIC, combined. By the same token, Irish exports to the United Kingdom in 2011 increased by €600 million, far greater than the rate of export growth to the BRIC countries in the same period. Irish goods and services are well established on the British market, but significant potential for future growth remains.

It is unsurprising, therefore, that in identifying areas for co-operation the joint statement devotes a substantial section to the economic relationship. It commits the two Governments to intensifying co-operation on research and development in order to support innovation. It identifies, in particular, the energy sector as a key area of economic potential, given the imminent commissioning of the east-west interconnector. We will seek to promote further investment in the area of renewable energy. The statement also highlights the potential for greater co-operation and collaboration in the lucrative agrifood sector and in other areas such as professional and financial services, ICT and the creative industries.

To better guide our approach to strengthened economic co-operation, the two Governments have agreed to prepare a joint evaluation of the economic relationship between the islands. I am very heartened to see that the areas the Government identifies as priorities for British-Irish co-operation are very much mirrored in the agenda for the plenary meeting. We are at one in recognising the central importance of further developing economic co-operation between Britain and Ireland for our mutual benefit.

I recognise that members discussed a variety of important issues in the course of the meeting, including the role of transport in supporting business and tourism, opportunities for the food sector in Britain and Ireland and the potential for shared services in the health sector. I also note that leading figures of the business community were invited to address the plenary meeting. This a very welcome initiative, allowing parliamentarians to hear directly from business their views on what the Governments should be doing to make business easier. It also allows members to raise issues of concern to themselves or their constituents directly with business leaders.

I commend, in particular, Deputy Joe McHugh and his co-chairman, Mr. Laurence Robertson, MP, for their tremendous achievement in delivering such a substantial programme of work and ably managing the meeting over the course of the two days. As an indication of the priority attached by the Government to the work of the assembly, the Taoiseach and the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, both former members of the assembly, in addition to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, and the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, took the time to address the meeting and engage in productive discussions with members. The members were also received at Áras an Uachtaráin by President Higgins, a very active former member of the assembly. I am pleased to note the British Government was represented by the Secretary of State, Mr. Owen Paterson. This level of participation and engagement gave a particular focus and substance to the discussions over the course of the two days and contributed to what was one of the most productive assembly meetings of recent years.

I thank all Members who participated, from the Oireachtas, Westminster and other Assemblies, for their efforts. Discussion at the BIPA of issues of mutual concern to all of us across these islands is vital, but it is only the start of the work. It is up to all members to build on the success of this meeting, bring the work of the assembly to the wider Oireachtas membership and allow the ideas and suggestions raised at the meeting to feed into consideration of policy at all levels. As the Taoiseach said in his address on Monday, Britain remains our nearest neighbour and closest friend. As the Government considers how best to deepen the relationship with Britain in the coming months, the outcome of the BIPA debates will continue to play a central role.

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