Peadar Tóibín
Question:263. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the New Decade, New Approach deal. [26144/21]
View answerThursday, 24 June 2021
Questions (263)
Written answers
The New Decade, New Approach agreement reached in January 2020 was a very significant shared achievement by the parties in Northern Ireland together with the two Governments, in restoring the power-sharing institutions of the Good Friday Agreement to operation. As outlined in the Programme for Government, its full implementation is an important priority for the Government.
The Irish Government commitments that were made at the time of the NDNA are focused on working with the Executive through the North South Ministerial Council to deliver projects that benefit people across the island. This includes greater connectivity between North and South; investing in the North West region and in border communities; supporting the Irish language in Northern Ireland; and supporting reconciliation as an integral part of the Peace Process. 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.
It is also welcome that the Secretary of State last week gave an assurance that the positive measures agreed in support of linguistic diversity and cultural expression in Northern Ireland will be put in place through legislation in Westminster in October in the event that this balanced cultural package is not enacted through the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The important work of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) has resumed, to develop co-operation on an all-island basis. Two successful NSMC plenary meetings have now taken place, as well as the full range of Sectoral meetings at Ministerial level, and progress continues across the breadth of North-South areas of co-operation. It is regrettable that it was necessary to postpone the plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council scheduled for 18 June, and we will seek to find an early date for that to be rescheduled.
As part of the NDNA, it was also agreed that there would be regular review meetings involving the two Governments at Ministerial level and the parties to monitor progress on its implementation, and the delivery of commitments by each Government. On Monday 11 January, I participated in the first Implementation Review Meeting alongside the First Minister, deputy First Minister, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and party leaders in Northern Ireland. A second review meeting is planned to take place in the period ahead.
The full implementation of the Agreement is a key priority for the Government in the period ahead, and we will work with the Executive and the British Government to this end.