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Northern Ireland Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 November 2013

Thursday, 7 November 2013

Questions (61)

Brendan Smith

Question:

61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been engaged in any discussions on the Together: Building a United Community Strategy; if he will outline any detailed proposals he has brought forward on this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47571/13]

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Written answers

I have previously welcomed the publication in May 2013 by the NI Executive of a new strategy ‘Together: Building A United Community’. The publication of the strategy is an important acknowledgement of the ongoing blight of sectarianism across communities in Northern Ireland and recognition that building a shared society requires a comprehensive response across political, economic, civic and social life. Building relationships between divided communities takes time and sustained effort and will need to be at the core of the work of the NI Executive, NI Party Leaders and the NI Assembly for some time to come. The Government will continue to support all efforts by the Executive and political leaders in Northern Ireland to promote reconciliation. The priority now, in my discussions with the Parties in Northern Ireland, is to encourage and support them in implementing the Strategy to its fullest extent, both in terms of promoting an ethos of respect and reconciliation and in implementing fully the individual practical proposals as set out in the Strategy. I welcome the rapid implementation of the proposal in the strategy to establish an All-Party Group, under the independent Chairmanship of Dr. Richard Haass, to consider and make recommendations on difficult matters including parades and protests; flags, symbols, emblems and related matters; and the past. I met with Dr. Haass on 25 September and 31 October in Dublin and assured him that he and his team have the full support of the Government.

In my discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with the First and deputy First Minister, and with other members of the Northern Ireland Executive, I continue to encourage all parties to seize the opportunity provided by the new Together Building a United Community Strategy and by the All-Party talks to accelerate the realisation of a cohesive and united community based on tolerance and respect in Northern Ireland. The ‘Together: Building A United Community’ strategy was also discussed at the North South Ministerial Council Plenary held in Dublin on 5 July 2013.

The EU funded PEACE and Interreg programmes have made an important contribution to supporting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and our border counties and I am glad that support for this valuable work will continue in the 2014 – 2020 period. I am particularly pleased that during our Presidency the European Council decided to include a special allocation of €150 million for a new PEACE Programme in the Multiannual Financial Framework. It is clear that the PEACE programme in particular has considerable potential to focus on the key issues of youth employment and tackling marginalisation, which are also to the fore in the “Together Building a United Community” strategy.

The Government will also continue to support reconciliation in other ways, including through the Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism Funds, which provide grants to organisations involved in reconciliation work on a cross-community and cross-border basis. We will also continue to support commemorative initiatives and events in Northern Ireland which foster reconciliation and mutual understanding among the different communities on the island. On 30 October, I hosted a Reconciliation Networking Forum in Dublin Castle which brought together groups supported by the Funds, along with representatives of business, religions, politics and broader civil society. This Forum considered the role of civil society fifteen years after the Good Friday Agreement and its conclusions will help to inform a new reconciliation policy that is currently being prepared by my Department. I continue to engage with representatives of communities and wider society on issues relating to reconciliation, most recently on my visit to Derry last month.

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