Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has given due regard to commitments in the Good Friday Agreement to make efficiencies in the delivery of public services through cross-border co operation and harmonisation services; and if any cost analysis has been undertaken as to the way in which this cooperation could provide savings for the State's budgetary calculations. [43752/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I remain committed to implementing the elements within the Good Friday Agreement that further North South cooperation and I continue to pursue areas of collaboration that could deliver cost savings during bilateral contacts with Northern Ministers and through NSMC meetings.

At meetings of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), Ministers North and South have re-iterated their commitment to practical and mutually beneficial cooperation, and to exploring areas where cost savings might be achieved. Opportunities for achieving economies of scale by working together to deliver cost savings have also been discussed by Government officials North and South. Some areas that have potential in achieving efficiency and mutually beneficial savings on a North South basis include the development of common procurement strategies and joint awareness-raising campaigns. Additionally, there is some scope for efficiency gains in long term infrastructure planning on an all-island basis. In order to advance this matter, my officials have previously made proposals to their Northern Ireland counterparts and these are being pursued.

I would also like to state that North South Bodies have had to make efficiency savings of at least 3% cumulative per annum since 2009 in accordance with guidance issued by my Department and the Department of Finance and Personnel, Northern Ireland.