Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if additional effort has been made by his Department for services since the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement to provide inward investment into the six border counties of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth; if discussion towards that end has taken place with his counterparts in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8278/08]

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a study has been carried out on the reason so little or no inward investment has taken place to counties such as Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan which have been most affected by the 30 years of troubles in Norther Ireland; his views on whether there is a need for urgent investment in these areas; if young graduates born and reared in these counties are to be given an opportunity to come back and live in their own area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8277/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 43 together.

The implementation of the Good Friday Agreement has resulted in the creation of opportunities for the attraction and development of foreign direct investment to the Border region. I accept that there is a need for Government investment in areas such as Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan if we are to succeed in attracting inward investment and jobs and this is being delivered under the National Development Plan and National Spatial Strategy.

The marketing of individual areas for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for IDA Ireland. While I may give general policy directives to the Agency, I am precluded under the Industrial Development Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others. However, the Border and North West regions are a priority location for IDA and the Agency has been able to attract new investments in emerging sectors such as life sciences, ICT and high-value services activities.

A 'Comprehensive Study on the All-Island Economy', which was commissioned by the British-Irish InterGovernmental Conference and prepared by senior officials from both Governments and InterTradeIreland, was completed in 2006. This study identified a number of areas where co-ordinated North/South policy intervention would prove beneficial to both jurisdictions on this island. The areas identified included co-operation on trade and investment promotion, research and development and the development of the knowledge economy, education and training systems to enhance human capital, and co-ordinated provision of key transport, energy and telecommunications infrastructure. The National Development Plan 2007-2013 sets out a detailed and specific agenda for progressing such co-operation. Work is underway to progress these initiatives, which will also enhance economic development in the border counties.

Development agencies, both North and South, are in agreement that the development of the All Island Business Ecosystem Environment Framework presented a real and tangible structure upon which to build a common working agenda for the greater benefit in attracting Foreign Direct Investment to the Island. This framework is focused on developing key areas of infrastructure and skill which will advance the promotion of Ireland as a location for enterprise development. One example of existing cross border co-operation between IDA and Invest Northern Ireland is the development of the Virtual Cross border Technology Park between Derry and Donegal .

I am confident that as the ongoing co-operation between Governments on both sides of the border, together with the work of the agencies on the ground, will continue to bring improved economic development and investment to areas in the Border region.