John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

InterTradeIreland was set up develop trade within Ireland and to address the disadvantaged areas of cross-Border trade. Obviously, there is a very good working relationship with the Northern Ireland Minister, Ms Arlene Foster MLA, and with all relevant Ministers. I have been to InterTradeIreland. The body has been insulated from cutbacks, unlike other agencies in the State which have had cutbacks in staffing. The North-South body's objective is to encourage North-South business activity, which is what it is doing. InterTradeIreland currently supports 3,500 companies in the area of technology transfer. It also supports marketing and developing export potential. A strong part of its expertise is the collaboration with Enterprise Ireland. There is great potential in the voucher scheme. Enterprise Ireland provides innovation vouchers and companies in both the North and South can avail of them.

There is also the potential of INTERREG, which is funded by my Department as well. It assists enterprise development and community regeneration. There is a group from Sligo and the North visiting the House today with regard to cross-Border co-operation and community economic regeneration. There is a fantastic opportunity for developing community enterprise.

I compliment InterTradeIreland for the outstanding job it does. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, and I have been there and we have met the Minister, Ms Arlene Foster MLA. There is a huge level of political co-operation and a great deal of activity at trade fairs. I attended the Seedcorn competition in Belfast a number of months ago. It is an outstanding success, with companies from the North and South participating jointly and doing business. That also happens at trade fairs.

I am not sure where the Deputy is getting his information. There is a great deal of activity taking place with InterTradeIreland.

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