42 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, the Government has for the raising of the level of North-South economic co-operation; and, if so, the amount of Government support proposed for this purpose. [14725/97]

The Government attaches the greatest importance to developing North-South co-operation. I intend to actively pursue this policy at every opportunity, in particular through the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference and in the context of the three-stranded negotiations on which we are now embarking.

Since taking up office, I have discussed the importance of North-South economic and social co-operation with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the Minister of State, Adam Ingram, MP, who has special responsibility for this area. At a meeting of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 18 July, while noting the significant co-operation already taking place, we affirmed our intention to look at ways in which this could be further built on. Discussions are continuing at official level with a view to identifying areas which could be considered in more detail within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Conference.

There are significant financial resources available to assist the further development of North-South economic co-operation. Should additional resources be required to meet new opportunities or changing circumstances, the Government will look positively at any proposals.