THERE COMES a time when common interests can outweigh traditional attitudes and we have reached that point where the functions of the North/South Ministerial Council are concerned. Yesterday’s full-blooded involvement by Taoiseach Brian Cowen and First Minister Peter Robinson in the promotion of cross-Border economic co-operation at Farmleigh in Dublin is a welcome development that will benefit communities in both parts of the island. The fact that a visit by the leaders of both unionist parties was regarded as part of normal, day-to-day politics in Northern Ireland indicates the distance that has been travelled.
Good neighbourliness is a useful tool in making progress. And President McAleese set the tone by inviting the Democratic Unionist Party leader Mr Robinson and his Minister for Finance Sammy Wilson to breakfast at Áras an Uacharáin. Later, the full delegation of Northern Ministers met their Southern counterparts for discussions on common problems, economic opportunities and promotional initiatives. They considered strategies for economic recovery while Mr Robinson emphasised the need for co-operation on financial matters.
The ministerial council met against a backdrop of faltering economic growth, rising unemployment and commitments by the British and Irish governments to introduce cuts in public expenditure. Despite that, cross-Border co-operation has continued in terms of animal health strategies and a review of the Common Agricultural Policy. A joint three-year business plan is being drawn up for the tourism industry. Progress has been made in the provision of cross-Border hospital care. And an additional €90 million in economic activity was generated last year through North/South business developments. These achievements should be built upon.
On the downside, the process of fiscal retrenchment will affect the quality of public services in both jurisdictions. Falling living standards will, inevitably, have an impact on how the political effectiveness of the Northern Executive is viewed. Such considerations will also influence the outcome of next year’s Assembly elections. Already, there has been contact between the DUP and the Ulster Unionist Party about the selection of candidates to maximise unionist representation and prevent the emergence of a Sinn Féin first minister. The long-term effect of this initiative will not, however, become clear until a new UUP leader is chosen to replace Reg Emphy in the autumn.
The peaceful passage of the Drumcree Orange parade at the weekend reflected the gradual normalisation of society. However, rioting in North Belfast, where troublemakers were bussed in to provoke confrontation between the two communities, raises concerns that deliberate efforts will be made to stir up trouble there next week. A traditional Orange parade led to serious rioting at the Ardoyne flashpoint last year. Dissident republicans were accused of being behind that violence in a direct challenge to Sinn Féin and the peace process. They cannot be allowed to succeed.