David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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233. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the trade matters contained within the Good Friday Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52686/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 provided for the establishment of several implementation bodies, including a 'Trade and Business Body'.  The British Irish Agreement Act 1999 and the equivalent UK legislation provided the statutory basis for the establishment of this body, known as InterTrade Ireland.

Since its establishment, InterTrade Ireland - which is co-funded by my Department and the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy - has implemented a range of initiatives and programmes to help businesses develop and enhance cross-border trade.  The Body has also notably been active, since the EU-UK referendum in June 2016, in assisting companies in both jurisdictions prepare for the commercial challenges that Brexit may present.