Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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44. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent economic package announced by the British Government for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30794/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I welcomed the economic package for Northern Ireland announced by the British Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on 14 June, 2013. I spoke with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers and commended her on the package which represents a strong commitment by the British Government in support of the work of the Northern Ireland Executive. I have noted the reference in the economic package to the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive working with our Government to examine how we can jointly support economic growth and a genuinely shared society in Northern Ireland. We will do all we can to take this forward both in the context of ongoing North-South engagement and East-West economic co-operation.

I also note the commitment to work with our Government to explore the possibility of creating a reciprocal visa regime whereby the UK would permit visitors from some destinations to enter Northern Ireland and the UK using an Irish visit visa without the need for a separate UK visa. This would complement the existing visa waiver scheme which is operating in this jurisdiction for visitors from a number of countries and has considerable potential to boost tourism to the island as a whole.