Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 September 2021
217. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the degree to which he and his Department can influence and coordinate fiscal matters in such a way as to support and encourage growth and development throughout the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45163/21]
View answer218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he continues to maintain contact with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland with a view to achieving maximum cooperation and benefit throughout the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45164/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.
It is important to state at the outset that I have no direct role in setting fiscal policy in Northern Ireland.
However, enhancing North-South cooperation and supporting the all-island economy is a priority for this Government, as set out in the Programme for Government. This is also articulated in the New Decade, New Approach agreement, in which the Government has made a strong commitment to work with the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government in support of greater cooperation, connectivity and opportunity North/South on the island, in line with the Government’s ongoing commitment to the Good Friday Agreement.
I always welcome the opportunity to engage and cooperate with institutions and individuals across Northern Ireland, including through engagement with the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) established under the Good Friday Agreement. While I was unfortunately unable to attend the most recent plenary meeting of the NSMC which took place in July of this year, I attended the previous plenary in December 2020 which considered the response to COVID-19, the implications of UK withdrawal from the EU and commitments under New Decade, New Approach.
In addition to participating in formal mechanisms for cooperation, I have also enjoyed meeting partners and stakeholders in less formal settings. Most recently, I attended the 2021 British Irish Association conference in Oxford on 4 September, which provided the welcome opportunity to engage once again in person with a range of stakeholders from across the island of Ireland and the UK. I took part in two sessions, speaking first about our economic relations East-West and North-South, and subsequently in a session with representatives of the UK Government and the devolved administrations on working together across the UK and Ireland after the pandemic.
