Neale Richmond
Question:21. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the shared island unit of his Department. [43737/21]
View answerCross-Border Co-operation
Questions (21)
Written answers
The Government’s Shared Island initiative is working to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection and mutual understanding on the island, engaging with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future.
I established a Shared Island unit in my Department to act as a driver and coordinator of this whole of Government initiative.
In Budget 2021, the Government established the Shared Island Fund, committing €500m in capital funding out to 2025, ring-fenced for investment in North/South projects.
The Government has made a number of allocations from the Fund over the last year, to support delivery of our commitments and objectives on a Shared Island, set out in the Programme for Government. Progress includes:
- The launch in April of Phase 2 of the Ulster Canal restoration and commencement of development work on Phase 3, enabled by an allocation of €7 million from the Shared Island Fund and €5.8 million from the Rural Regeneration Development Fund;
- The launch in April of the all-island strategic rail review jointly by the Minister for Transport and the Northern Ireland Minister for Infrastructure;
- In June, I was joined by the Northern Ireland Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon, as I announced €3m in funding from the Shared Island Fund to progress the Narrow Water Bridge to tender stage; and,
- In July, I and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science announced the new North-South Research programme, with Government investing €40 million from the Shared Island Fund over five years, to support the deepening of links between higher education institutions, researchers and research communities on the island.
The Government will continue to develop investment, policy and cooperation initiatives that enhance our shared island. The reviewed National Development Plan, to be published shortly, will set out a new level of ambition for collaborative cross-border investment out to 2030 with the goal of building a more connected, sustainable, and prosperous shared island for all.
To support the Government’s agenda for cooperation and connection on the island, the Shared Island unit in my Department has commissioned a comprehensive research programme, working with the ESRI, the National Economic and Social Council, the Irish Research Council and other partners. Research will be published in the final quarter of this year and through 2022, focused on opportunities to deepen cooperation across a range of economic, social and environmental domains.
In July, at the Labour Employer Economic Forum it was agreed to commence a workstream on Shared Island issues of interest for trade unions and employers within LEEFs remit of economic and employment issues relevant to the labour market.
Finally, I initiated the Shared Island Dialogue series to foster inclusive civic dialogue, that engages all communities on the island, on our shared future.
I addressed the first Shared Island Dialogue with young people in November. Dialogues on Climate and Environment; Civil Society engagement; Equality; Economic recovery on the island; and Health have been held this year, with participation by Government Ministers.
The next Dialogue is on the future of Education on the island, taking place on 1 October with Ministerial participation and over 100 education stakeholders from North and South.
The Dialogues are bringing together more than 1,000 civic representatives this year in different sectors and across all regions, communities and traditions, to discuss how we work together for a shared future on this island, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.
Questions Nos. 22 to 24, inclusive, resubmitted.
Taoiseach's Communications
Questions (25)
Neale Richmond
Question:25. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent discussions with the UK Prime Minister. [43738/21]
View answerWritten answers
I spoke by telephone with Prime Minister Johnson on 20th July, in light of the cancellation of our meeting planned for the previous day, for COVID reasons.
We discussed the Northern Ireland Protocol and I stressed the importance of utilising the EU-UK framework for issues related to the Protocol. The EU has consistently said it is ready to find flexible, practical approaches to address the difficulties citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland are experiencing as regards the implementation of the Protocol.
However, any solutions must take place within the framework of the Protocol and the principles that underpin it.
We also exchanged views on the Covid-19 situation, especially in regard to the Delta variant.
I also raised legacy issues, including serious concerns at the British Government’s proposals and the impact they would have on victims and families. I emphasised that there can be no pre-determined outcome to the consultation process currently underway.
We both looked forward to an opportunity to meet in person in the future.
Previously, I met with Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Chequers on Friday 14th May.
On that occasion, our discussions focused on ways our two Governments can continue to work together to support all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and promote peace and prosperity on both a North/South and East/West basis. We also discussed issues around implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
The Prime Minister and I spoke about legacy issues, and of how best to secure progress and answers for the many families who have been pursuing truth and justice now for far too many years.
I was clear with the Prime Minister that every family bereaved in the conflict should have access to an effective investigation and to a process of justice, regardless of the perpetrator.
The Stormont House Agreement framework allows for the crucial elements we need – investigations, truth recovery, oral history, reconciliation and acknowledgement.
Questions Nos. 26 to 28, inclusive, resubmitted.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (29)
Gary Gannon
Question:29. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Europe last met; and when it will next meet. [43758/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Cabinet Committee on Europe oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the European Union and related issues.
It generally meets in advance of a meeting of the European Council.
It last met on 22 March 2021, in advance of the meeting by videoconference of the Members of the European Council on 25 March.
Previous meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Europe took place on 16 July 2020, 8 October 2020 & 8 December 2020. It will continue to meet as appropriate, including to discuss issues on the agenda of the European Council.
It is planned to hold the next meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Europe in October, in advance of the European Council meeting scheduled to take place in Brussels on 21/22 October 2021.
Questions Nos. 30 to 38, inclusive, resubmitted.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (39, 40, 41)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:39. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [43763/21]
View answer
Paul Murphy
Question:40. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [43766/21]
View answer
Bríd Smith
Question:41. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [43769/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 to 41, inclusive, together.
There is not a dedicated Cabinet Committee that deals with transport, rather transport related matters are discussed in a number of Cabinet Committees as appropriate.
This occurs most usually at the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment and the Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment last met on 16 September 2021, and is scheduled to meet again on 30 September 2021. The Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change last met on 1 July 2021 and will next meet in the coming weeks.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (42)
Bríd Smith
Question:42. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on climate will next meet. [43768/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change last met on 1 July 2021 and will meet again in the coming weeks.
This Cabinet Committee oversees the implementation of the ambitious Programme for Government commitments in relation to the environment and climate change.
These commitments include those reflected in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, which was enacted in July.
The Committee also oversees implementation of the Climate Action Plan 2019 and the Interim Climate Actions for 2021, as well as the preparation of the forthcoming Climate Action Plan 2021.
Questions Nos. 43 to 48, inclusive, resubmitted.
Brexit Issues
Questions (49)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:49. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagement with the European Commission Vice President, providing an update on the protocol. [43787/21]
View answerWritten answers
In advance of his visit to Northern Ireland, I met with Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič for a working dinner in Government Buildings on 8 September.
We had a very good exchange and I warmly welcomed in particular VP Šefčovič's planned engagement with political, civil society and business representatives in Northern Ireland.
His openness to engage demonstrated the EU’s wish to hear and understand the concerns of the people on the ground.
I expressed my support of Vice President Šefčovič and of his approach of exploring every flexibility possible within the Protocol to make it work as well as possible for businesses and citizens.
Questions Nos. 50 to 60, inclusive, resubmitted.