Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have come a long way in Northern Ireland where the people of the Six Counties are entitled to vote in a democratic process to elect who they wish to the Assembly. It took a long time to arrive at a position where the Executive and the Assembly are in operation and where the trust has come to a point where particular responsibilities have been and are being devolved to the Assembly for decision-making in respect of dealing with the issues in Northern Ireland.

I have the privilege of attending at the North-South Ministerial Council. These are not talking shops to the extent that people might often imagine. There is a great deal of co-operation, for example, in respect of Common Agricultural Policy reform, which is a major issue of the multi-financial framework. If agreement can be reached this weekend, it would mean that the general agenda that Cyprus is following through with might in part be concluded which would allow the Irish Presidency to finish that off as an issue. We had a person appointed from Northern Ireland onto the permanent representation in Brussels so the Executive and the Assembly, and the people, would be fully informed and fully acquainted of their concerns and issues as this process goes through.

When one speaks to groups in the agri-sector, they are interested obviously in the impact that is being made here in jobs, exports and the growing of the economy. As a small part of the European Union, we would say that the agri-sector has never been recognised to the full extent in delivering jobs and growth in the economy. The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McEntee, for instance, was able to report to the North-South Ministerial Council about the ash tree disease and what the Department is doing, in co-operation with Northern Ireland, on an issue that is part of the economy and part of jobs. There exists that level of co-operation. For instance, they want co-operation between the south-western hospital in Enniskillen, which is a state-of-the-art facility, and Sligo, and between Altnagelvin and Letterkenny. The taxpayer here, by decision of the Government, funds in part the radiotherapy unit that is going into Altnagelvin and we have had discussion previously about contributions for the major roadway connecting Derry and beyond. These are issues that are real and practical.

Of course, Deputy Higgins is correct in stating that the traditional impact for jobs was in the public sector in Northern Ireland because of a range of circumstances. What are often referred to as "the Troubles" limited the confidence for investment and the creation of jobs. We had discussions at the North-South Ministerial Council on the intention in regard to a reduction of the corporation tax rate levels that apply in Northern Ireland which, if it were to happen and be approved by the Chancellor across the water, would make the island of Ireland, from a corporate tax perspective, the same area.

We contribute, for instance, to many of the major tourism entities. We are supportive of Derry being selected as a city of culture and being the location for Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann next year. Those two major events in that city will attract an enormous - if I dare use the word - "gathering" to the region which will be of benefit to the economy and jobs. When one looks at the case where we discussed banks and NAMA with them, the Minister for Finance was able to report to the members present on views and progress being made there.

When I saw First Minister Robinson and Deputy First Minister McGuinness working in the interests of the communities and being forthright about that when they decided to go to China with their trade mission or to meet the personnel, we appointed our ambassador, H.E. Kelleher, in Beijing to work with them. Speaking fluent Chinese, the ambassador has an advantage over many in understanding the mentality and the approach. That is in the interests of giving them the opportunity to attract jobs to Northern Ireland for young men and young women throughout the country.

When I spoke to Deputy Martin at Question Time previously about the strategic partnership agreement that we have with the British Government, one of the issues it discussed was the making of an amendment to their own green investment bank which would allow investment to take place in Ireland without territorial boundary, in other words, that they could invest here, provided there was opportunity in the area of renewable energy or sustainable jobs, but that there might be the possibility of selling direct into the British market. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, is concluding work on a memorandum of understanding with his counterpart across the water, Minister of State for Energy, Mr. John Henry Hayes MP, in that regard. That would be of interest, both North and South, in terms of investment in green developmental sustainable opportunities. I think Deputy Higgins would support that.

Obviously, it is an issue that must be worked on constantly. Through the work of the Ceann Comhairle and Speaker Hay, we have the parliamentary forum. Through the work of the sectoral groups under the North-South Ministerial Council, there is a number of valid proposals being followed through with an impact, North and South.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, is dealing with his counterpart on a number of education issues which are of importance North and South. The answer, of course, is jobs and growth. Northern Ireland has suffered, no more than many other areas throughout the European Union. It is a case of not lying down before the wave of cynicism out there, but of doing something about it. Good politics and clear decisions can make an impact. That is why we all have a duty to work with communities and see that investment is made where it will have an impact on jobs, growth and economic development. There is a very high level of co-operation between Departments and Ministers, which we will continue, hopefully with an impact on jobs down here and in Northern Ireland. I hope the examples I have given of great co-operation at departmental, ministerial and international level will pay benefits in due course.

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