Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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269. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has engaged in any talks recently to advance cross-Border trade on this island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30792/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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North South economic co-operation is and will remain a priority of mine and of the Government. To this effect, there is on-going dialogue between relevant Ministers and officials, North and South, to promote economic development, job creation and innovation on a cross-border basis. From my own perspective, I attend meetings in the Trade and Business development sectoral format of the North South Ministerial Council and, also, 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, and particularly at the sectoral meetings, where I have direct discussions with my N.I. counterpart, Ms Arlene Foster MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, on a wide range of business issues of mutual interest.

In fact, I met with Minister Foster on 26 June last at a Trade and Business development meeting where we had a good exchange of views and information. We also had presentations from InterTradeIreland, the North/South Trade and Business Development Body, which were very informative, and an update on the EU Interreg Programme under which funding has been jointly provided to 28 micro enterprise projects in the border counties, North and South over the last number of years. In addition, I attended the North South Ministerial Council Plenary meeting held on 5 July last where a wide range of North/South co-operative measures were discussed between Irish Government Ministers and their N.I. counterparts.

My officials also engage in on-going dialogue with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (D'ETI). A key area of such regular engagement is on the operation of InterTradeIreland, which is co-funded by my Department and D'ETI. InterTradeIreland's suite of programmes is designed to encourage trade and business growth across the island and create an environment where it is easier to do cross-border business. My Department, along with our enterprise development agencies, will continue to work diligently with our counterpart Department and relevant Northern Ireland Agencies to increase the economic benefits, especially on job creation, research and innovation, which can accrue from practical cross-border co-operation.