Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 101: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail preparations made by him regarding the review of cross-Border institutions. [24720/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The St Andrews Agreement provided that, under the auspices of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC), a review group would be appointed objectively to examine (1) the efficiency and value for money of existing implementation bodies and (2) the case for additional bodies and areas of co-operation within the NSMC, where mutual benefit would be derived. The group would also input into the work previously commissioned by the NSMC on the identification of a suitable substitute for the proposed Lights Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission. At the meeting of the NSMC in plenary format on 10 June 2011 Ministers noted the proposals relating to Terms of Reference 1 and prepared by the St Andrews Agreement Review Group arising from consultation on recommendations in a report prepared by experts/advisers to the Review Group. They agreed that these would be forwarded, along with a copy of the report, for consideration by Ministers in the new Executive and Irish government with responsibilities for North South Bodies, as well as the Finance Ministers. It was further decided that, taking account of these considerations, the NSMC joint secretariat at Armagh will make recommendations to finalise this element of the review at the NSMC plenary in November 2011. Ministers also agreed that terms of reference 2 and 3 of the Review will be discussed at the NSMC plenary in November 2011.