David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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104. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the definition of the all-Ireland economy as used by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52684/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The term “all-island economy” stems from a Comprehensive Study on the All-Island Economy, which was launched by the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference in October 2006. This Study set out an ambitious range of strategies and collaborative actions aimed at maximising the competitive advantages of the island of Ireland, developing initiatives designed to boost economic activity on the island, and eliminating market distortions arising from the existence of the border.

These included intervention in the education and training systems to enhance human capital; intervention to support research and innovation and the development of the knowledge economy; co-ordinated provision of key infrastructure; enhanced co-operation in the provision of health and educational services; enhanced co-operation in the provision of electricity and telecommunications infrastructure; and an improved regulatory environment.

It was also envisaged in the Study that, in the area of infrastructure, more joined-up planning and delivery would give better outcomes for people throughout the island.

In the intervening years, significant progress has been made in these sectors, including through the work of the North-South Bodies such as InterTrade Ireland and Tourism Ireland, and there are also strong business linkages between North and South.

I believe that the potential for trade and economic activity across the island of Ireland has not yet been fully tapped and that there is scope for increasing the levels of trade in both directions. In support of this, and particularly in view of the challenges presented by the UK exit from the EU, we clearly need to assist our SMEs in whatever ways we can. This in turn can safeguard jobs, and encourage cross-border investments. InterTrade Ireland, for which the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation has responsibility in this jurisdiction, is doing excellent work in this area.

It is clear that it is more mutually beneficial to work together rather than separately, and the development of an all-island economy is in everyone’s interests.

An all-island approach has already proved very successful in the Tourism sector, where Tourism Ireland has successfully marketed the island throughout the world. In the energy sector, the successful joint venture between Eirgrid plc and System Operator Northern Ireland (SONI) Limited has led to the Single Electricity Market – a wholesale electricity market operating across the island.

With the continuing absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Executive, the North South Ministerial Council cannot operate and bring together the Government and the Executive to oversee ongoing North/South work and further develop co-operation, as provided for under the Good Friday Agreement. This is a most serious absence, and particularly so at a time when the Council should be continuing the work it commenced last year to deal with the challenges of Brexit. Common Principles were agreed at the Plenary meeting of the NSMC in November 2016, to coordinate engagement by the Government and the Executive to deal with the challenges that are raised on an all-island basis by the UK exit from the European Union. We should be working together on this through the North South Ministerial Council.

In this regard, the Government is continuing to work with the British Government, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, to support the effective operation of all of its institutions, including the NSMC.