asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has asked semi-State bodies to co-operate with their counterparts in Northern Ireland following the Hillsborough Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish agreement, the Intergovernmental Conference has become the official framework for the promotion of cross-Border co-operation. The extent of the co-operation which exists is apparent from the catalogue of cross-Border social and economic co-operation which was published as an annex to the joint statement issues after the 11 March meeting of the conference, and which has already been laid before the House. Semi-State bodies are among the organisations engaged in this co-operation.

I am satisfied that the procedures established interdepartmentally to promote co-operation by Departments and semi-State bodies with their counterparts in Northern Ireland are working satisfactorily.

Has the Minister communicated directly with the semi-State bodies? Is he aware that cross-Border development committees, composed of selected representatives and executives of local authorities, are experiencing a negative response at present particularly from Bord Fáilte? Will he contact the board and ask them to co-operate with their counterpart in the Six Counties and with the cross-Border development committees to ensure that at least in the promotion of tourism we will be able to make progress?

I would be very disappointed if what the Deputy said was correct. I am sure it is not so. I do not contact semi-State bodies directly. I contact the Ministers responsible for them. I am certain that Bord Fáilte would co-operate in every way in promoting cross-Border tourism in Ireland as a whole. I would see that as a priority in bringing about reconciliation between the two parts of the country.