The Minister of Regional Development, Mr Peter Robinson, has said he is not against cross-Border co-operation on day-today issues if it genuinely helps the people of Northern Ireland.
Mr Robinson, the deputy leader of the DUP, was speaking during a meeting with Fermanagh District Council to discuss the road system. Three Sinn Fein members were present.
During the hour-long meeting, he answered questions from council members, and said his views on cross-Border co-operation were often misconstrued.
While he was a staunch unionist opposed to Dublin's political involvement in the North, he was not against working with groups in the Republic on issues such as transport. "Roads don't suddenly stop at the Border," he said. As a minister, he would take a common-sense approach.
An Independent councillor, Mr Pat McCaffrey, said that while he thought Mr Robinson "an articulate and forceful person" who would do his job well, he regretted his refusal to attend Executive meetings.
The DUP boycott is because of the presence of Sinn Fein. Mr McCaffrey expressed concern that Mr Robinson's department could lose out in budget allocation because of his stance.
Mr Robinson said he did not believe he was at any disadvantage, or that the Minister of Finance, Mr Mark Durkan, would be so small-minded as to punish a colleague for holding a different political view.
Mr Robinson said he was committed to dealing with everyone, regardless of religious or political background, in a fair, equitable and proper manner.
Several councillors expressed concern that the Executive would be biased in favour of Belfast at the expense of areas west of the Bann. Mr Robinson insisted he would be "Fermanagh-friendly" and would take into account the remoteness and disadvantage of parts of region when making decisions.
He said he had to work within a strict budget, but was considering other ways of raising funds such as toll roads, congestion charges and charging companies such as BT, Phoenix Gas and CableTel for digging up roads.
Mr Robin Martin, a Sinn Fein councillor, suggested that as much of the traffic on Fermanagh's roads was from the Republic, Mr Robinson should consider asking the Irish Government for funds.
Mr Robinson did not respond to Sinn Fein's question in the council chamber but later said it was unrealistic. "It's not real politics. They have their own priorities down there, but if anybody wants to give me bundles of money with no strings attached, I wouldn't refuse."
The UUP chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Mr Derrick Nixon, presented Mr Robinson with a clock and council tie which he hoped he would wear during some television appearances.
Mr Robinson later met the Central Border and North West Region Group to discuss roads issues. During a visit to Killyhevlin treatment works, he said a £3 million investment scheme to refurbish the sewerage system in Enniskillen would begin in the spring. He said the scheme was vital to the development of tourism in the area.