Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is absolutely right in saying we need to protect our trade links. The reality is that the extent of those trade links and the all-island economy has been vastly overstated. The potential of our shared economy is what is important and should be promoted. For instance, we talk about the importance of the all-island economy when it comes to tourism. That is under threat at present because of the introduction by the UK of the electronic travel authorisation.I worry about moves to remove any references to the all-island economy, and that when the UK Government describes the all-island economy as a divisive and misguided political notion, it will impact what we can do to preserve our all-island tourism. Other issues have been raised, including in energy and infrastructure, that will benefit both economies and our shared economy. We definitely need to be able to protect and also promote the potential that is there.