Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 36: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline his discussions with the relevant Ministers in the Northern Executive to promote economic development along the border corridor. [27322/12]

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

North South economic co-operation is and will remain a priority for myself and the Government. To this effect, there is ongoing dialogue between relevant Ministers, North and South, in all areas to promote economic development in the border region.

From my own perspective, I attend meetings in the trade and business development sectoral format of the North South Ministerial Council which are held twice a year. I also attend two meetings each year of the North South Plenary which are hosted by either the Taoiseach or the First and Deputy First Ministers. At these meetings there is full engagement with Northern Ministers, particularly at the sectoral meetings where I have face-to-face discussions with my NI counterpart on issues around cross-border trade and the work of InterTradeIreland, the North/South Implementation Body whose remit is 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 is co-funded by my Department and its counterpart in Northern Ireland.

My officials engage in ongoing dialogue with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) and keep me informed of all key North/South related issues including the North/South activities of the enterprise development agencies. In fact, there is a long history of co-operative action between North/South enterprise agencies to achieve mutual benefits. 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.

In addition, my Department provides funding support for enterprise-themed Interreg projects jointly approved with DETI. Through Interreg, my Department has supported a number of North/South projects, including enterprise networking for the border counties and Northern Ireland. The process of assessing further Interreg projects for joint funding is ongoing. The Government, along with the enterprise development agencies, will continue to 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, particularly in the border region.