A NEW multi-agency taskforce operating within a 15km zone either side of the Border and backed by both governments, has been proposed by Fine Gael.
Enda Kenny said the proposed agency would help eliminate difficulties unique to the region, including dealing with two currencies, two legislative assemblies and different VAT and tax rates.
Speaking in Cavan town yesterday, Mr Kenny also said a renewed focus was necessary to create niche businesses such as those which could attract a share of the €6.4 billion EU support for research and innovation, announced by EU commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn on Monday.
Launching an interim report of his party’s Border Forum, Mr Kenny said the region had been held back for more than 90 years – with one of the most recent blows being news of redundancies at the Quinn Group.
The Border Forum was set up by Mr Kenny in May and the interim report includes recommendations on tourism, transport and economic development, among others. According to the report, a multiagency taskforce should comprise Enterprise Ireland, the local institutes of technology, Fás and the local county enterprise boards, which should be tasked with drafting a regional plan.
The report also recommends a joint initiative between State enterprise agencies on both sides of the Border to attract foreign direct investment and protect existing jobs, including professional and business courses. It also favours a joint Irish/British holiday visa to facilitate tourism across the island and in the Border region and regional tourism promotion.
While Mr Kenny said there would be no extra funding for the agency, he said its usefulness would be in channelling funding from the exchequer, public private partnerships, capital markets and the European Investment Bank into new infrastructure projects. The infrastructure projects would include major road projects and the party has pledged to look again at all cancelled transport projects in the region.
It is also committed to upgrading broadband and energy networks to develop export-driven industries. Agri-food proposals include an overhaul of labelling and an all-island approach to animal health and welfare and fair trade initiatives.