Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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185. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the recent North-South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22889/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The twentieth Plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) was held at Dublin Castle on 5 June 2015.

At the meeting, which was chaired by the Taoiseach, there was a discussion on the policies being implemented to support economic growth, job creation and improve living standards in both jurisdictions.

The Council welcomed the discussions that have taken place across all NSMC sectors in relation to EU Funding Opportunities and the identification of relevant programmes where we can collaborate on accessing EU funding. Ministers agreed to continue to examine opportunities and progress in drawing down EU funding and that a further update on EU Funding Opportunities will be brought to the next Plenary meeting.

The NSMC welcomed the approval of the INTERREG V programme by the European Commission and looked forward to the early finalisation of the PEACE IV programme. Ministers welcomed the indications that good progress is being made towards reaching the joint target of €175 million in terms of cross-border projects under the Horizon 2020 Programme, and noted the work of InterTradeIreland and the All-Island Steering Group in raising awareness of this €80bn EU programme.

Ministers discussed the Progress Report prepared by the NSMC Joint Secretaries on the work of the North South Bodies and in the other NSMC areas for co-operation since the last Plenary meeting on 5 December 2014 in Armagh.

The Council noted that the development of new priorities for North/South cooperation was discussed at the NSMC Institutional meeting on 25 February 2015 and that 'new Sectoral Priorities' will be an agenda item at future Institutional meetings. The Council noted the decision that was agreed at the NSMC Institutional meeting whereby Ministers would review their current Work Programmes and that endorsement of any changes will be sought at a future NSMC Plenary meeting.

There was an extensive discussion on cross-border smuggling and fuel laundering. Ministers noted the on-going efforts by the relevant authorities in both jurisdictions to tackle this criminal activity which affects the lives and well-being of people on both sides of the border. The very detrimental environmental and health effects of fuel laundering were discussed and Ministers noted the introduction of the new fuel marker in both jurisdictions. The Council recognised the importance of closer co-operation between agencies in tackling and combating cross-border smuggling and fuel laundering and agreed that the topic be revisited at a future meeting.

The Council noted the continued engagement between officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister with stakeholders concerning the future development of the North West Gateway Initiative and the ongoing discussions on arrangements to hold a meeting of relevant Ministers on this in the North West. The Council further noted the current work by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council to develop new and collaborative cross-border arrangements at local government level to promote the development of the North West region, in cooperation with regional stakeholders and central governments.

The Council noted that, in line with the decision taken at the NSMC Institutional Meeting on 25 February 2015, the NSMC Joint Secretariat has consulted with Sponsor Departments and with Board members of the North South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland Limited regarding the proposal to extend the existing terms of appointment of Board Members for 12 months. This consultation is currently ongoing. The Council agreed that decisions on Board appointments will be made before the expiry of the current Board members' terms of office in December 2015.

Ministers also noted the current position on setting up a North South Consultative Forum as envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement.

The Council approved a schedule of NSMC meetings proposed by the Joint Secretariat, including the next NSMC Plenary meeting in November 2015.

I look forward to continuing, with my colleagues in Government, to pursue opportunities for further North/South co-operation with the Northern Ireland Executive, particularly through the structures of the North South Ministerial Council.