Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome very much the Taoiseach's visit to Belfast. It is really important that the Taoiseach and other Ministers visit the North often and regularly and that they meet people in all the sectors. During the Belfast visit, the Taoiseach went to the new Belfast office of CPL Recruitment and spoke to business leaders, among others, about the importance of encouraging economic growth on both sides of the Border. This is a very important area of potential for people, no matter what part of Ireland in which we live. I will concentrate, if I may, on that issue.

There are significant similarities between the two economies on the island and all of us, including Unionists, accept that we work best when we co-operate. They use the phrase, "to our mutual advantage". There are also differences, largely as a consequence of partition, which mean we have two different currencies, tax systems and laws impacting on business. There is a need to stimulate the economies of both parts of the island, which requires greater co-operation between the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government here. In this respect, the work of the North-South Ministerial Council is of particular importance.

I understand the last meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council was postponed. Will the Taoiseach confirm when the next meeting will take place? It was also agreed in December at a plenary session that a report would be prepared for the Narrow Water bridge project, to which the Acting Chairman has given his support. The project will significantly enhance business and tourism opportunities between Louth, south Down and south Armagh, as well as the wider Border region. Last week I visited the site of the proposed Narrow Water bridge with the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network, including Ms Caitríona Ruane, MLA, Councillor John Loughran and the Executive finance Minister, Mr. Máirtín Ó Muilleoir. I know the Taoiseach is aware there is very strong support for this on both sides of the Border and from all shades of political opinion. It is across the Border and across communities. It is also included in the Irish Government's capital investment plan for 2016 to 2021 and the Oireachtas committee for jobs, enterprise and innovation recently reported that the bridge is essential to the economic development of the region. Will the Taoiseach confirm if the report for the North-South Ministerial Council has been completed? Will it be published after the council meeting?

Will the Taoiseach give some indication of the work that has been done on the issue of target investment in cross-Border economic infrastructure agreed in the Fresh Start agreement? I will be as brief as possible but these include the M5, which will open the north west, including Donegal; the Ulster Canal project; and the north-west gateway. Has there been any progress on sourcing further investment either from the European Union or the private sector for all-island infrastructural projects that would be to the mutual benefit of both economies on the island? Is é sin an méid.

Ní aontaím leo siúd a mhol gur cheart na ceisteanna seo a ghlacadh le chéile. The Taoiseach was right and the question on Belfast is very specific. I have other questions on the other matters but I will leave it at that for now.

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