Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021
356. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the implementation of each point of Annex B: Irish Government Commitments in the New Decade, New Approach agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11037/21]
View answerOn 9 January 2020, the Irish and British Governments published a new agreement for Northern Ireland, New Decade, New Approach, which was reached together with the political parties. Alongside the agreement, the Irish and UK Governments set out their own separate, unilateral commitments.
Although Covid 19 has been the understandable focus in the year since the NDNA was reached, nevertheless progress has been made to implement those important commitments.
The Government has established a Shared Island Initiative and Shared Island Fund, which provides €500m for capital investment available over the next five years. This funding is ring-fenced for collaborative North/South investment. It ensures we have the resources in place to match our commitment to mutually-beneficial North/South cooperation on new and existing projects.
The North South Ministerial Council resumed its essential work, with its second successful plenary session taking place last In December. The elements of New Decade, New Approach relevant to the NSMC, which include commitments in relation to cross-border infrastructure and investment, are progressing well.
Projects such as the Ulster Canal and the reviews of rail and air connectivity are moving ahead. Work in relation to the Sligo-Enniskillen Greenway is also progressing, as a joint project let by Leitrim County Council and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
On other areas, such as the Narrow Water Bridge and potential investment in research and innovation, conversations are taking place to allow our Administrations to define shared objectives that take full account of the priorities of both sides.
With respect to language and culture, we have made the budgetary provisions to deliver on the commitments we made as a Government to support Irish language broadcasting, community groups and the development of Irish language networks.
On reconciliation, the Government will also deliver on our commitments to maintain, and in fact increase, our spending through the Reconciliation Fund which supports projects in all communities in Northern Ireland and border areas, and to map out the outstanding areas of need.
The first New Decade, New Approach Implementation Review Meeting took place virtually on January 11, which I attended together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, First Minister and deputy First Minister.
We reaffirmed our shared commitment to ensuring the sustainable and effective operation of all the devolved institutions, and committed themselves to the ongoing implementation of New Decade, New Approach.
