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North-South Implementation Bodies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

Questions (138)

Micheál Martin

Question:

138. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the allocation in 2019 to North-South bodies in his Department. [45903/18]

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Written answers

In this jurisdiction, responsibility for the North South Implementation Bodies established under the British Irish Agreement is exercised by several of my Government colleagues: the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (InterTrade Ireland), the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Waterways Ireland and the Language Body which comprises Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency), the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission - Loughs Agency); the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (the Special EU Programmes Body); and the Minister for Health (the Food Safety Promotion Board). Tourism Ireland Ltd. is the responsibility of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. I do not have direct responsibility for any of the North South Implementation Bodies or Tourism Ireland Ltd, or for allocations made to those Bodies. The North South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland, all of which operate on an all-island basis, are funded jointly by the Administrations, North and South, on the basis of an agreed contribution ratio, which varies from Body to Body, and decisions concerning the Bodies are taken jointly by the relevant Ministers North and South in the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).

At present, in the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive, it is not possible for the NSMC to meet and to bring the Government and Executive together to oversee ongoing North South work and further develop cooperation, as provided for under the Good Friday Agreement. Notwithstanding the current political situation, the North South Implementation Bodies continue to carry out their important public functions in line with their mandates and to deliver economic and social benefits for people across the island.

Allocations to the Bodies are matters for the Ministers that I have listed, and full details of the allocations for 2019 will be set out in the Revised Estimates Volume.

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