Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

The areas to be discussed at the partnership talks include increases in take home pay, changes to the taxation regime and the extension of tax shelters, many of which have been beneficial. The report on tax incentives published yesterday, for example, pointed out that the cost of the Shannon corridor was approximately €1 billion in tax foregone. Without the scheme, the money would not have been available in the first instance.

This negative approach to the extension of the Shannon corridor to other areas in the lower Shannon region has been pointed out. It is worthwhile considering, there is a case for it and it should not be shot down. It has been brought forward by people such as my former colleague, the late Sean Doherty. Senator O'Rourke was brought in on the discussions on this approach at an early stage. It has been successful and the Minister knows that Carrick-on-Shannon is an example of the success of the investment by individuals because of the incentives offered in that area. When the Minister of State was Opposition spokesperson on tourism he was in the Forest Park Hotel with me and Mr. Doherty and took it on board at the time. Deputy Killeen was Opposition spokesperson for that short time of reflection during which we were out of Government. He took an interest in it and proposed it in a policy document which he published before an election in the 1990s. We brought back the Shannon corridor scheme when we went into Government. Senator O'Rourke was there. It should be recorded that it was part of the progress of the economy that now results in the continuation of partnership talks.

Social partnership is vital. I recently visited Belfast as a substitute on the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body and it is extraordinary to see the North in such a poor economic state. The deprivation in east Belfast is particularly extraordinary. They admire the number of jobs created in the Republic of Ireland. Co-operation with the Republic is more attractive now than ever before and it is encouraging that our separated brethren in the North recognise that the economy here is strong. The number of people from the North of Ireland working in the Republic has grown. They are welcome and it is right that they should be given first priority in employment here.

I welcome this debate and thank the Leader for the opportunity. I commend the talks and hope they will be resolved quickly. There is great commitment on all sides and we are fortunate in having the leadership of congress and the major unions, SIPTU in particular. I want to declare an interest. I am pleased to be a member of SIPTU as the nominee of the Irish Professional Association in the Seanad.