Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Newfoundland and Labrador business partnerships which fall within his Department's remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8694/05]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 5: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Newfoundland and Labrador business partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11934/05]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together. The Ireland Newfoundland partnership, previously named the Newfoundland and Labrador business partnership, was established on foot of a memorandum of understanding signed by the Government of Ireland and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The original agreement was signed by former Taoiseach, Mr. John Bruton, in 1996, with the then Premier of Newfoundland, Brian Tobin. I reaffirmed that agreement, and it was again reaffirmed when Premier Danny Williams visited Dublin in July 2004.

The agreement derives from the very significant migratory ties between Ireland and Newfoundland which date back to the 17th century. Approximately 50% of the population of Newfoundland is of Irish origin. The migration stemmed mainly from the south-east corner of Ireland and the settlement took place within a 100 mile radius of St. John's, the capital city of Newfoundland.

The purpose of the agreement is to promote mutually advantageous co-operation between the two partners through government, industrial, business, educational and cultural activities. To give effect to the provisions of the memorandum of understanding, each government has established a board and small executive office.

The Ireland Newfoundland partnership board in Dublin was established in 2001 and is chaired by the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Michael Ahern. The executive office for this function was originally located within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, but since January 2004, it has been relocated under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach.

This change reflects the widening scope of the work of the partnership, which spans co-operation initiatives and activities in a wide range of sectors. The partnership has promoted several grant schemes to encourage joint research projects between third level institutions in marine science and engineering, IT, folklore, business studies, tourism and the arts. The arts and culture sector has been an area of strong interest with successful projects completed in music, literature, drama and art. The partnership also promotes trade missions to Newfoundland and has facilitated several Newfoundland missions to Ireland.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I was interested in asking this question when I looked at the Estimates for the Taoiseach's Department which indicated that €321,000 had been set aside for the Newfoundland and Labrador business partnership in 2005, which is an increase of 3% on 2004. I hear what the Taoiseach is saying about co-operation and the large proportion of the population of Irish extraction. What employment has been offered in Newfoundland by Irish companies establishing there? I understand that at 15%, it has one of the highest unemployment rates in Canada. Has the Government been able to offer employment in Ireland for people from Newfoundland and, if so, are there figures to indicate its success? This area of responsibility was transferred from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the Department of the Taoiseach. Does the Taoiseach consider that is where the partnership belongs, is a review taking place or is there an indication it might revert to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment given the large trade factor involved in the agreement?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The location is just a matter of convenience for co-ordination and co-operation. Its location does not really matter because it is chaired by a Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the subhead could be in any Department. It straddles a number of Departments. Two officials are involved in the partnership on a full-time basis and we are trying to keep staffing levels to a minimum to keep it co-ordinated. It covers business and educational areas. Much work has been done on fisheries given its expertise in marine and research matters. From what I have read and seen, it has done much work that is valuable not only to Departments but to those involved in marine and fisheries matters.

There is a permanent exhibit on Newfoundland at the Waterford Museum of Treasures which was opened by President McAleese. There have been a number of trade missions which have helped a number of companies which have started to trade with each other. I do not have figures for the volume but I expect it is not enormous.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Is it worth the money?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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In terms of what we are spending it is probably well worth the money. In fairness when the then Taoiseach, Mr. John Bruton, set it up, it was not just a money matter and was based on the cultural ties. Two marine technology agreements have been set up, there is film co-production between Ireland and Newfoundland and there have been technology transfers. We have saved the money we have spent many times over but the amount would not be enormous.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Memorial University in Newfoundland have a joint e-leanring course. There is also a joint masters in learning education technologies between the Institute of Technology Tralee and the university in Newfoundland. There have been scholarships and bursary schemes under seven awards, an Irish and Newfoundland poetry anthology has been published, and there are theatrical productions and many initiatives in trade and other areas. There is more two-way trade in the tourism business every year. While the numbers are not enormous, more people are taking an interest. That interest always existed but it has grown during the past decade.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It seems difficult to pinpoint exactly what gains there may be although I wish the partnership a fair wind. Is the Taoiseach aware that there is a strong co-operative movement in Newfoundland and Labrador and that the Government there and the federation of co-operatives provide financial assistance to the co-op sector in establishing and sustaining viable communities based on local ownership and democratic control? The province has a total of 70 co-ops with a membership in excess of 57,000.

Nowhere in the Taoiseach's reply about the partnership did he refer to that significant sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. Is there any co-op sector involvement in the partnership? Has this country learned anything from the Newfoundland-Labradorean approach to the co-operative sector, which is a significant factor in their economy? What lessons can be learned from their experience that can be applied to the Irish co-operative sector to enhance and sustain it as it is also a very important part of our economy?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am sure there is a connection in the areas of fishing and the marine as a result of trade missions dealing with companies. Our co-operative sector has developed to a further stage as I am confident will be the case in Newfoundland and Labrador. Co-operatives have changed their status and become private companies. Most companies in the Irish food sector originated as co-operatives. In many cases their shareholders are the former members of the co-operative and the transition has been successful.

I suggest that an area of high unemployment such as Labrador could learn from what happened in Ireland rather than the other way round and there is co-operation in that regard. Half the population is of Irish descent and this is a good initiative considering the small amount of money involved. I am happy to build on what was begun by the former Taoiseach, Mr. John Bruton. He had good reasons for the initiative and it has proved successful. It has developed well and I am confident it will continue to do so. Much has happened within the space of a decade. I refer to the excellent connections between third level educational institutions, institutes of technology and in the area of the arts, which more than justify the reason for this partnership.