Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

This is the first time either House has debated the subject matter since its inception in 1990 and it is useful and proper that we do so. The 44th plenary which was completed in this Chamber made history because it was the first time that the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, as a body, sat in any parliamentary chamber in either country. It is important to note that. The body which, was formed in 1990, had many notable members. When it was founded the former Taoiseach, the late Garret FitzGerald, and the current Taoiseach were members, as were some current Labour Party Ministers and the President, Michael D. Higgins. I should have explored the list in order that I would have it correct. In any event, they laid great foundations and the body has done useful work.

As I said, the 44th plenary took place in this Chamber last Monday and Tuesday. It was highly successful with a full and engaging programme. We should thank the House and the authorities in the Oireachtas, the Cathaoirleach and his staff for making the Chamber and all of the ancillary facilities available. The assembly members attending enjoyed the occasion. It was appropriate that the meeting took place on the anniversary of the Queen's momentous visit to Ireland. It provided us with a further opportunity to build on, enhance and deepen Anglo-Irish relations. It was the first time that the assembly had met in a parliamentary chamber and proved most worthwhile. The location was favourably commented on by the members from various parts of Ireland, Britain, the North, Jersey, the Isle of Man and Guernsey.

The theme of the plenary was "Making Business Easier Between Britain and Ireland" and the topic is close to the Cathaoirleach's heart. We heard addresses from the Taoiseach, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Minister for Health and the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works. The assembly also engaged with senior business leaders from the agrifood, manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries on developing trade opportunities between the two jurisdictions, islands and countries. It was a new and innovative way to speak directly with key business people and to identify their priorities.

We heard a number of proposals that were endorsed by the assembly and I will refer to some of them. It arose from the discussion with the chairman and chief executive officer of Glen Dimplex, Seán O'Driscoll, who made the proposal that we conduct an annual British-Irish trade mission led by senior Government Members. He also proposed that it would be useful if the Taoiseach could lead the Irish trade mission one year and the British Prime Minister could lead one the following year when it came here and they could accompany business leaders, with the venue alternating between Britain and Ireland. The assembly endorsed his proposal.

He further proposed a requirement for a joint manufacturing cluster. Manufacturing strengthens an economy more than any other factor and acts as a multiplier of jobs. He also recommended that the potential of the energy sector be exploited such as for renewables, buildings and homes. Data on that sector was quoted and 50% of the energy consumed in Ireland and the UK is in buildings, 6 million homes are in fuel poverty and 50% of income is spent on fuels costing €40 million per annum to provide heat. He pointed out the enormous potential and opportunities for the sector and the potential for further direct job creation. We all know that the development and certainty of an energy policy, similar to that in the UK, is important. It would allow emerging businesses in the sector to plan and develop their businesses and UK counterparts could assist them.

The area of regulation was dealt with and we all know that a certain amount of regulation is necessary and welcome. However, we also know that there are some needless regulations imposed at enormous cost to business. Mr. O'Driscoll suggested that an inventory of all regulations should be undertaken to ascertain which ones can be streamlined or done away with and his proposal was adopted by the assembly.

Another assembly suggestion was to review and open up the Government's procurement policy to enable SMEs to compete for contracts more easily. The adoption of a social consideration was suggested when assessing tenders. Mr. Eoin Tonge from Greencore put forward the key message that Ireland and the UK are interdependent vis-À-vis proximity and a similar food culture. The relationship is huge and needs to be protected. He talked about the synergies across the UK and Ireland as it pertains to the food industry. Common standards were also mentioned and food regulation is necessary to create consumer confidence but duplication poses a difficulty. We need to ensure that we do not create false barriers to or for business.

With regard to EU regulations, a common approach should be adopted and expertise shared to ensure a similar local interpretation. We should also facilitate companies that work together to remove inefficiencies which is more important and pertinent in order for the UK and Ireland to co-operate as trading partners. Another assembly suggestion was the creation of links between companies in the food industry, particularly with educational institutions and Deputy Conway mentioned Waterford Institute of Technology.

It was important that the body met here and it was a success and it dealt with the points outlined by the Taoiseach. He was very strong in pointing out that Britain is our nearest neighbour and closest ally and that the body, and now the assembly, has done much good work in establishing closer links and great co-operation over the years. It has gone beyond what was imagined in its early years and our task now is to build on that. The relationship between the two islands has exceeded what the body was initially set up to assist with, namely, the central issue of the North of Ireland, and that is important. The President hosted a reception for the assembly and made similar interesting points in his address. I will leave it to other colleagues to address those points.