Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am thinking in particular of space for manufacturing businesses. I am thankful we have a good network hubs developed. We must think about and develop a policy on an all-Ireland basis. Last week I arranged for the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement to meet representatives from Cavan and Monaghan county councils, with a presentation on the development of workspace enterprise centres and working with neighbouring local authorities north of the Border. I am thankful the development of the all-Ireland economy has been phenomenal since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 so we can drive forward the all-Ireland economy development with more collaboration between statutory agencies North and South.

An area like Cavan and Monaghan, in the central Border area, would be vulnerable in the face of economic turbulence because we are the least developed part of the Border region. We need that extra incentive. The people will get up and do the work and local entrepreneurs will create jobs but they need particular assistance to ensure the necessary infrastructure and working space is in place.

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