Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with the Northern Ireland Minister for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on 11 September 2007. [20979/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I met with Northern Ireland Minister for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew, MP MLA, on 7 September in Dromahair, Co Leitrim. We discussed issues of mutual interest in the areas of rural development, rural recreation and the EU Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, which will bring significant financial benefits to the island of Ireland.

We also discussed the positive work already undertaken by our two Departments and considered further opportunities for co-operation. As both North and South face common challenges in rural areas, the meeting provided an opportunity to foster closer working relationships on how best we can jointly address these challenges. It also provided an opportunity to consider how to further develop and deepen co-operation in the future.

There have been many positive examples of the two Departments working together, in particular through the current INTERREG and LEADER Programmes. This cross border co-operation has supported the creation of new industries and jobs in the Border areas. I am confident that this co-operation will continue in the future in order to address a range of issues facing our rural communities.