Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress being made in negotiations with the new Northern Ireland Executive relating to a North-South enterprise policy; his plans following the new agreement on Northern Ireland governance on North-South co-operation; when he plans to meet with his new Northern Ireland counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18618/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is ongoing co-operation between my Department and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland on enterprise issues. Both Departments co-sponsor InterTradeIreland, the all-island trade and business development body established under the Good Friday Agreement. Since 1999, InterTradeIreland has shown the benefits of all-island business collaboration and it is implementing significant initiatives to enhance the global competitiveness of the all-island economy.

As both North and South face the common challenges and opportunities of a globalised market place and continuing the transition to a knowledge economy where science, technology and innovation are vital to economic success, it is appropriate that we should jointly address those challenges and opportunities where there is mutual benefit to be achieved. To be globally competitive we must exploit and realise the opportunities of all-island collaboration.

My Department provided significant input to a 'Comprehensive Study on the All-Island Economy', which was commissioned by the British-Irish InterGovernmental Conference to identify areas for enhanced North/South co-operation. This blueprint for all-island economic co-operation was completed towards the end of last year and sets out the economic rationale for North/South collaboration, as well as concrete proposals for economic initiatives.

The proposals to enhance co-operation in the areas of trade and investment promotion are currently being implemented and include the opening up of trade missions, whether sponsored by Enterprise Ireland or Invest Northern Ireland, to companies across the island. The services of the overseas offices of Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland are being made available to companies from across the island. Furthermore, enhanced collaboration between IDA Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland is being taken forward with an initial focus on collaboration around the business-operating environment so as to enhance the attractiveness of the island for Foreign Direct Investment.

The National Development Plan 2007-2013 sets out to give real meaning to the approach outlined in the 'Comprehensive Study on the All-Island Economy'. The Irish Government has set out in the National Development Plan a detailed and specific agenda for progressing such co-operation.

The formation of the Executive in Northern Ireland enables full operation of the North/South institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement and will see the North/South Ministerial Council meet again. It is hoped to convene a plenary meeting of the Council as soon as possible at which it is expected that a schedule of sectoral meetings will be agreed, including for the trade and business development sector.

I look forward to working with my Northern counterpart the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Nigel Dodds MLA, under the auspices of the restored institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement to jointly take forward pragmatic initiatives that will advance co-operation for mutual benefit. My priorities to advance North/South co-operation will be focused in the areas of Science Technology and Innovation; Trade and Investment Promotion; Labour Market and Skills; and Enterprise and Business Development. I will also be examining, in conjunction with Mr. Dodds, the strategic direction of InterTradeIreland for the period 2008-2010.