Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

Like Deputy Moynihan I very much welcome the measures in the shared island initiative. It has gained support from all political traditions on this island. The Taoiseach may remember that when he launched the initiative I raised with him the need to have an enterprise initiative within the shared island programme. Subsequently, local authorities on both sides of the Border were enabled to put in joint submissions in regard to the development of work space enterprise centres, innovation centres and research centres. I am very anxious that initiative is given impetus because, as the Taoiseach has often heard me say in the House, those of us who live in the central Border area – I have the privilege of representing two of the southern Ulster counties, namely, Cavan and Monaghan – along with our neighbours in Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh are very conscious we need to support local enterprise. Fortunately, over the years local authorities and voluntary organisations developed enterprise centres. Some of the small companies that commenced their operations in enterprise centres in my constituency subsequently became international corporations, to their great credit. From speaking to local statutory agencies I know there is a need for more work space and enterprise centres. The local authorities do not have the resources to do these particular developments. It would be a great investment in the central Border area to advance that proposal the Taoiseach gave the go-ahead to some time ago.

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