Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 47: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he has met with his counterpart in the Assembly; if he will be seeking a meeting with his colleagues in the Assembly in advance of and after the Assembly elections to discuss an all-Ireland enterprise policy; if he will be prioritising co-operation with his Northern counterparts to sell Ireland as a place for business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5883/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy is aware, the Northern Ireland Assembly was dissolved on 25 March, and elections to the Assembly are to be held on 5th May. It is of course my intention to meet with whoever is subsequently appointed as my counterpart in the Executive. I particularly look forward to my first formal working meeting in the context of the North South Ministerial Council in its Trade and Business Development format, which I will be chairing. This is likely to be held in June. In this format the Council oversees and develops the work of InterTradeIreland and encourages co-operation between enterprise agencies North and South.

InterTradeIreland was established under the Good Friday Agreement to exchange information and co-ordinate work on trade, business development and related matters in areas where the two administrations specifically agree it would be in their mutual interest. InterTrade Ireland's remit is focussed on the indigenous enterprise sector, small and medium-sized companies, North and South. Its programmes and activities are unique in that they are implemented across two jurisdictions on an all-island basis. Its programmes cover All-Island Business Networks, Cross-border Trade, Micro Enterprise Support, Private Equity Awareness, Science, Technology and Innovation, All-Island Benchmarking, and Business and Economic Research.

The enterprise development agencies North and South of the Border have for many years co-operated where this has added value to their activities, and this collaboration has greatly increased in recent years. Enterprise Ireland, which stimulates the development of indigenous enterprise, has extensive contact with its Northern counterparts and works with them on a range of programmes. IDA Ireland collaborates with Invest Northern Ireland, for example, in the Northwest Now initiative. More recently, there have been very positive developments where a wide range of agencies and institutions now co-operate on science and technology issues, including participation in the EU Research Framework Programme.

The Government, along with the enterprise development agencies, will work diligently with the Northern Ireland Executive and its agencies to increase the economic benefits accruing from cross-border co-operation and the work of the North South Bodies.