Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of times she has met with Minister Arlene Foster in 2008 to discuss the integration of the two commercial zones on this island; her views on the Hain-Ahern 2006 assertion that companies should be encouraged to redesign logistical strategies and treat Ireland as one commercial zone rather than two separate entities; the action her Department has taken in 2008 to progress Strand II of the Good Friday Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45036/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I had one meeting with Minister Foster since my appointment as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment during which we discussed a range of economic issues affecting the economy of both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland. These discussions form part of an ongoing process of North/South co-operation to strengthen our economic development in order to gain competitive advantage in response to the ever-changing global opportunities and challenges.

The groundbreaking Comprehensive Study on the All-Island Economy, to which the Deputy refers, was published in 2006 and sets out a strong rationale for beneficial all-island economic activity. The strategic context for North/South co-operation, which is outlined in the study, highlights the "market widening effect" of a larger market on the island of Ireland, where previously unexplored business opportunities are exploited and companies may redesign their logistical strategies to respond to these business opportunities.

InterTradeIreland, the all-island trade and business development body which is jointly sponsored by my Department and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland, has a central role to play in helping businesses North and South to tap into the all-island market place. It is implementing a wide range of North/South programmes, which provide opportunities for businesses to improve their competitive performance, and these include technology transfer, sales and marketing, sectoral business networks and promoting equity finance to accelerate business growth. It also undertakes vital research, provides information and offers advice to companies.

In relation to the Good Friday Agreement, a meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in the trade and business development sector took place on the 29 May to review the ongoing work of InterTradeIreland and to approve its three-year corporate plan and business plan for 2008. In addition there is ongoing co-operation between my Department and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland on enterprise issues. A significant number of North/South initiatives, which were envisaged in the Comprehensive Study, have been implemented such as the launch of the all-island Innovation Voucher Scheme, an all-island approach to labour market skills forecasting, the participation of companies from the North in trade missions organised by Enterprise Ireland and the North West Gateway Initiative, which is a joint strategic approach by both administrations to the development needs of the North West.

I am convinced that mutual benefits will continue to accrue to the economy of both jurisdictions by pursuing the pragmatic co-operation that is outlined in the Comprehensive Study.