Calls for greater cross-border co-operation are motivated by a desire to improve the lives of everyone on the island and are not designed to whip up unionist fears, SDLP leader Mark Durkan insisted today.
As Democratic Unionist MP Gregory Campbell accused nationalists of using north-south bodies as a vehicle to secure a united Ireland, Mr Durkan told a conference in Derry on the issue organised by his party it made sense to expand the cross-border agenda.
"While North-South - like all the institutions - was not given the chance it should have had to fully develop and deliver its potential, it did more than enough to show just how well it could work," the Foyle MP said.
"It proved beyond all doubt that it makes sense - and that the arguments against it are out of date and nonsense.
"Even though the institutions were working for a total of just 30 out of the last 90 months - and even then not always fully - North-South co-operation and joint implementation showed itself to viable and valuable even to those who were wary of it before.
"Likewise the British/Irish framework proved itself as we shared experiences and ideas and developed new and better delivery mechanisms with each other, for all.
"As we move forward, North South should no longer have to spend so much time justifying itself.
"Tony Blair said in his conference speech in Brighton last week that every time he undertook a reform in government, he ended up wishing he had gone further. I know how he feels. We want to go much further on North South and deeply regret that we haven't been able to get there much faster. "
Mr Durkan said instead of constantly asking 'Why North South?,' the question people needed to pose was 'Why not North South?'.
The SDLP leader continued: "Why not work more closely with the South, especially as we know that to do so means we can deliver more effectively for the North socially, economically, culturally and environmentally?
"Why not work together to improve public services for everyone on this island?
"Why not maximise efficiency in those public services by working together to deliver them on a more integrated, more sensible and more strategic basis?
"All parties claim we are committed to achieving greater efficiency in how government delivers. If we are really serious, then positively engaging on North South can let us all prove it.
"Making the most of North South would remove the gaps and overlaps in service provision that drive up delivery costs and cause so much frustration among the people who rely on them."
The Foyle MP said it made sense to develop an all-Ireland economy which could benefit people throughout the island.