Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2017
141. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the areas within his Department which remain outstanding in respect of the confidence and supply agreement; the status of plans for the implementation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30581/17]
View answerOne of the policy principles set out in the Confidence and Supply Arrangement is to strengthen and develop cross border bodies and services in Northern Ireland and implement the Fresh Start Agreement.
All of the North South Bodies are continuing to operate effectively, making a considerable contribution towards economic growth right across the island and demonstrating what can be achieved when we pool our resources in key strategic areas. For instance, Tourism Ireland and InterTradeIreland are playing continuing and central roles in supporting the all island economy.
Tourism Ireland is driving record tourism numbers and spend to this island. InterTradeIreland is building vital exporting capacity among our small and medium enterprises and assisting SMEs in navigating the challenges of Brexit through its new advisory service and carrying out important research into various trade scenarios.
I am currently representing the Government at the ongoing talks in Belfast and am hopeful that there will shortly be agreement on the restoration of the devolved institutions. This will allow meetings of the North South Ministerial Council to recommence next month to enable further important engagement on progressing all-island cooperation in general and in particular addressing the challenges of Brexit.
Discussions on sectoral priorities and on new and expanded areas of cooperation have been taking place within the NSMC. While there is always scope for exploring the expansion of areas of cooperation and of the work of the North South Bodies, in line with the Good Friday Agreement, such expansion must of course obtain the agreement of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Government has in the Programme for Partnership Government committed to a number of actions to facilitate greater North-South cooperation.
Full and timely implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements, including the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement, is a key priority for the Government, as reflected in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The Agreements, and the principles and values underpinning them, are at the core of the Government’s approach to peace, reconciliation and prosperity on this island. The Government will continue to work tirelessly for the full implementation of the Agreements in both letter and spirit.
Despite the political challenges of recent months in Northern Ireland, there has been sustained progress with implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement, with each administration actively pursuing the necessary work to fulfil the respective commitments. In order to have continued progress it is critically important to see devolved Government working effectively in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is determined to uphold its principles and protect its institutions. Effective devolved Government, underpinned by a genuine spirit of partnership, is what the people of Northern Ireland voted for in 1998 and what they expect their politicians to deliver.
The Fresh Start Agreement provided for the establishment of the Joint Agency Task Force on cross-border crime. That Task Force was launched in Dublin in December 2015, and has quickly become fully operational, progressing its work to tackle cross-jurisdictional organised crime and bring to justice those involved in it.
At the Plenary meeting of the NSMC on 18 November 2016 in Armagh, the NSMC considered an update by a group of Senior Officials from relevant Departments, North and South, on the progress being made on implementing the commitments set out in Section E of the Fresh Start Agreement, to provide support and funding for North-South infrastructure projects. The review is ongoing and a further report will be presented at a future Plenary meeting.
A key element of the Fresh Start Agreement relates to the ending of the legacy of paramilitarism. On 13 September 2016, Minister Flanagan signed an international agreement with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to establish the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC). The IRC will report annually on progress towards ending continuing paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland. Following the December review meeting, both Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive announced the appointees to the IRC. The IRC Bill, which will establish the IRC in this jurisdiction, was published by the Tánaiste and then Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, on 7 June and it is intended that it will be brought forward by Minister Flanagan in the weeks ahead.
