§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will discuss with his counterparts in the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and the Minister of Agriculture of the Irish Republic about creating a single veterinary regime for the whole island of Ireland. [151879]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 5 March 2001]: Officials in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland already enjoy close links with their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland. In addition, the Good Friday Agreement commits both jurisdictions to formalising those links. There have been preliminary discussions at ministerial level. Officials in Belfast and Dublin are working to develop a common approach to animal health issues on the island of Ireland and to even closer co-operation in dealing with matters of common concern.