Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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272. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to commission an independent report into the economic benefits a united Ireland economy would bring to all sectors of the economies on the island of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8641/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government remains committed to deepening economic cooperation between North and South. This clearly benefits communities on both sides of the border and helps to create employment and economic opportunities all over Ireland.

A key instrument for helping to grow such economic activity is InterTrade Ireland (ITI), the cross-border body established under the Good Friday Agreement. ITI, which is co-funded by my Department, undertakes a range of programmes and initiatives to develop North-South business. This includes measures to help SMEs explore new cross-border markets, develop new products and grow their respective businesses.

The UK's forthcoming withdrawal from the European Union is likely, however, to present a range of challenges for North-South trade and the firms that depend on it. That is why both my Department and ITI are currently so focused on working to help companies prepare for Brexit. That will remain one of our main priorities for the foreseeable future.

Given the emphasis that has been placed on Brexit-related work, there are currently no plans to commission any independent report into the economic benefits of a united Ireland economy. However, we will continue to support cross-border commerce and the strengthening of commercial ties between our two jurisdictions.