TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen was questioned during his visit to Derry on the extent of cross-Border shopping, with reference to recent remarks by Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan that it was unpatriotic.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said Ireland was affected by three great evils, namely sectarianism, racism and partitionism.
When Mr McGuinness’s remarks were put to Mr Cowen, he said cross-Border shopping experienced “swings and roundabouts” and what was required was for the economies North and South to work together to tackle the economic downturn.
“We live in an island and people will make their choices,” he said.
“The important thing is that we provide best possible value for money and deal with the cost issues that arise.”
First Minister Peter Robinson quipped that Mr Cowen himself would “take a run around Tesco” before returning to Dublin.
Both of them called for the issue of cross-Border shopping to be examined in the medium- and longer-term. Mr Cowen said the appreciation of the euro versus sterling was a key determinant which neither administration could influence directly.
Asked directly if such shopping was “unpatriotic”, Mr Cowen said people were entitled to move across the Border.
Long-term co-operation could result in a “win-win” situation for everyone on the island, he said.