Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his priorities for generating a better understanding by both sides in Northern Ireland of the other's position as affected by the Good Friday Agreement and other or subsequent agreements, with particular reference to the need to identify and isolate conflicting issues with a view to an amicable solution. [51142/23]
View answerFacilitating reconciliation and connection between communities is at the heart of Good Friday Agreement, which shapes and informs all of the Government's engagement in Northern Ireland. To this end, the Government engages across the community and with people from all political traditions in Northern Ireland.
Since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs I have made numerous visits to Northern Ireland and have greatly appreciated the warm welcome and rich exchanges with diverse interlocutors. I have met with Northern Ireland’s party leaders, with community organisations supported by my Department, with victims and survivor groups, with PSNI leadership, with business representatives, cultural institutions, and academics. I am determined to engage openly and honestly with voices from across the community.
It was precisely to encourage efforts to build meaningful connections, cooperation and trust between different communities and traditions that, as Taoiseach, I launched the Shared Island Initiative. Through that Initiative, we have raised the level of ambition for what can be achieved through all-island partnerships. We are delivering cross-border investments, and helping address major challenges on this island north and south. Through the Shared Island research programme, and its all-island dialogues, the opportunities for, and challenges of, deepened cooperation are being scoped out. Among the outcomes has been the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, which I launched earlier this year with the aim of promoting practical north south cooperation at the community level.
It is essential too that the Government continues to invest in reconciliation in Northern Ireland. That is why I secured a 40% increase in the allocation to my Department's Reconciliation Fund for 2024, so that it can continue its work supporting organisations which promote better relations within and between the traditions in Northern Ireland, on the island of Ireland and between these islands.
The work of building connection and reconciliation would be easier if all the Institutions of the Good Friday Agreement were functioning. It is deeply disappointing that Northern Ireland's political institutions remain blocked, and as a result the North-South Ministerial Council is also prevented from fulfilling the responsibilities mandated to it by the Good Friday Agreement. As co-guarantor of the Agreement, the Government take seriously our responsibility to proactively engage with all partners to resolve this situation.
