Skip to main content
Normal View

Northern Ireland

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Questions (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)

Neale Richmond

Question:

9. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the first year of the shared island initiative. [61417/21]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

10. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the progress to date in the development of the shared island theme; and the various entities with which his Department has interacted in recent times in this regard. [61938/21]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

11. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the extent to which he and his Department continue to engage in dialogue with all communities in Northern Ireland with a view to strengthening and improving confidence through the medium of the shared island concept. [63310/21]

View answer

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

12. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the shared island unit of his Department. [2230/22]

View answer

Neale Richmond

Question:

13. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach his priorities for the next phase of the shared island initiative. [3069/22]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

14. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the progress made on the shared island initiative; and the extent to which specific objectives can be and are being achieved. [3252/22]

View answer

Alan Kelly

Question:

15. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the shared island initiative of his Department. [3308/22]

View answer

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

16. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the shared island unit in his Department. [3316/22]

View answer

Mick Barry

Question:

17. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the shared island initiative. [3329/22]

View answer

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

18. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the first year of the shared island initiative. [3609/22]

View answer

Paul Murphy

Question:

19. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the first year of the shared island initiative. [3612/22]

View answer

Oral answers (19 contributions)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 19, inclusive, together.

The Government's shared island initiative is working to realise the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement, to enhance co-operation and connection on the island and to engage with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future. We are working on an ambitious and whole-of-government basis, and through all-island partnerships, with the Northern Ireland Executive, the United Kingdom Government and local authorities and civil society across the island.

Progress in 2021 included the allocation of €50 million from the Government's shared island fund to move ahead with key cross-Border investments; new phases of the Ulster Canal; the Narrow Water bridge project; a major new North-South research programme delivered by the Higher Education Authority; commencing an all-island strategic rail review, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive; setting new shared island investment priorities across virtually all sectors as part of the revised national development plan, backed by a total all-island investment commitment of more than €3.5 billion for the decade ahead; the roll-out of the shared island dialogue series, with participation by more than 1,000 civic representatives across all regions, communities and sectors in seven events, which have also fostered exciting new civic initiatives, such as an all-island women's forum; and a comprehensive shared island research programme - working with the Economic and Social Research Institute, the National Economic and Social Council, the Irish Research Council, and other partners - which is now publishing a stream of high-quality work to inform discussions.

On 9 December, I addressed a shared island forum event, which more than 3,500 representatives attended online. I outlined the Government's priority investment projects and policies for the shared island initiative in 2022, implementing our national development plan and programme for Government objectives. I also launched a report by my Department on the shared island dialogue series over the past year, which highlights issues and suggestions from civic society for the future of the island across a wide range of themes, of which the Government is taking account. A copy of the report has been sent to every Member of the Oireachtas.

The dialogue series has provided an inspiring view of our shared island society - diverse, dynamic, hopeful and ready to write a new chapter of reconciliation on this island. We are continuing the shared island dialogue series this year to foster deeper civic engagement regarding how we can work in practical and meaningful ways across all communities for a shared future.

The first shared island dialogue of 2022 took place last Thursday, 20 January, on the theme of tourism on the shared island. More than 150 stakeholders from across the island joined the discussion, and the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, participated in the dialogue on behalf of the Government. The next dialogue on sport is planned for late February, and the series will continue through this year, with in-person and regional events convened when possible. The participation of so many people from a range of backgrounds has been encouraging, notwithstanding the limitations imposed by the impact of Covid-19.

I thank the Taoiseach for that update and for the report sent to our offices. I was struck by the remarks of the Taoiseach at the engagement in December and by the pertinent remarks made by Patrick Kielty that went viral. We must be honest about the shared island initiative and unit having great potential but, due to the impact of Covid-19 or a need for a wider buy-in, it may perhaps not be reaching that potential as much as it could be. I was very taken by the last comments made by the Taoiseach when he said the plans for the roll out of the series are already afoot, including the engagement last week on tourism. We must, however, be extremely ambitious this year to make up for lost time.

Let us be frank. Politics in London are chaotic, while politics in Northern Ireland are getting sharper as every day that passes brings us closer to the assembly election. The shared island dialogue series has an important role to implement and show people across this island the benefit of closer co-operation in every aspect of life. I would like to know more about how we can supercharge that endeavour through 2022.

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. To what extent can he use this shared island facility to establish a greater level of confidence between the communities in Northern Ireland and between the North and the South? This is an important issue now, namely, the building of confidence to progress the rest of the objectives of the programme.

Is the Taoiseach satisfied with the progress made to date? Does he propose to take further initiatives to identify more ways and means of advancing the causes set out in the programme? Is it intended to expand the debate in this context beyond the shared island initiative structures? I refer to the addition of a citizens' assembly debate, for example, or something like that, to promote the positive elements of the structure.

I agree with some of what was said. We must be ambitious about the shared island unit and the initiative. I do not think that it will come as a shock concerning Sinn Féin's position in this regard. We believe that planning for Irish unity must occur. Within that context, there must be a citizens' assembly to allow all voices to be heard. I have had this type of interaction with the Taoiseach before, and he said that he did not think that such a mechanism is sufficient in the context of what needs to be done. That is fair enough. We must then look at the shared island dialogue as something that can be expanded. We cannot shy away from the constitutional question, because it is happening. It is part of the reason there is an element of chaos within political unionism and that is just the reality. I welcome the infrastructural project work, such as the Narrow Water bridge. The research aspects are incredibly interesting and we have had discussions on this topic before, particularly in respect of future modelling and educational attainment North and South.

It has come to light that there has been a slew of racist, sexist and misogynistic tweets by the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Doug Beattie. These tweets were shockingly derogatory, and included comments about women and Muslims. He used incredible terms about the Traveller community. I am not going to introduce the language used in those tweets into the Chamber today such is its severity.

For generations, unionist politicians have spoken derogatorily about minorities, especially Catholics. Ian Paisley is on the historical record as having said that Catholics breed like rabbits and multiply like vermin, for example. Does the Taoiseach agree with me there is no place for tweets like Doug Beattie's in the modern day and will he join me in calling for his resignation as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party?

The shared island initiative is the Taoiseach's flagship proposal. Can he tell the House that his successor, the current Tánaiste, is going to continue it? Is that agreed? As regards the North-South Ministerial Council, with the DUP not participating even though it has been declared illegal by the court in Belfast, what work is under way in trying to ensure that the DUP participates? This cannot go on forever. What projects does the Taoiseach expect the shared island initiative to fund? There is €500 million in funding proposed up to 2025. One was an all-island strategic rail review which recently closed for submissions. There is an idea of a high-speed rail link between Belfast, Dublin and Cork. Is this one of them, for example? Is it going to go the way of Boris's bridge? Genuinely, what projects are going to be funded in the next year or so?

Regina Coeli hostel in Belfast is the sole female-only homeless hostel in Northern Ireland. With domestic violence at a 15-year high in the North, it provides accommodation and support services for up to 200 women a year. Many residents are vulnerable women who have left abusive relationships or struggle with substance abuse. The Legion of Mary has decided to close the building, stating it cannot afford the cost of necessary repairs. I salute the workers, mainly women, who have decided to fight the closure and are occupying the premises. I support the demand of their union, Unite, that the Legion of Mary hand over the facility to the state.

If I could, I would like to ask Deputy McDonald whether Sinn Féin's Northern Ireland Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey MLA, will instruct the Housing Executive to take on the facility. Seeing as this is Taoiseach's Questions, however, I ask the Taoiseach, in light of all the fine words spoken in this House last week about gender-based violence, if he will make defence of this facility a real priority for the Government in its dealings with the Northern Ireland Executive.

One thing among others that people in the South and the North share is fuel poverty. The Taoiseach did not have a chance to respond in the last round of questions but I hope he will this time. Fuel poverty in the North is 22%. It is only 13% in England. The ESRI estimates one in six in the South suffers from fuel poverty. A RED C poll last year found that 19% of people turn the heat off because of fears of not having enough money to meet other bills and the cost of food. We share, North and South, a failure of government to deal with energy price hikes that are impoverishing working people, the vulnerable, pensioners, disabled people and so on. Will the Taoiseach take a lead in taking some measures to address this?

I also want to ask about the ongoing protests against the planned closure of the Regina Coeli hostel for women in Belfast. This hostel is the only one of its sort in the North, providing for women who have suffered from homelessness, drug addiction or domestic violence. Now they have been told by the Legion of Mary that it is to close. The workers have refused to accept it. They have occupied the building. A petition by Unite the Union has gathered in excess of 11,000 signatures. People are demanding the relevant Minister, Sinn Féin's Deirdre Hargey MLA, intervene to save the hostel, bring it into public ownership, save the 12 jobs and defend this important service. Will the Taoiseach join us in urging the Legion of Mary to hand it over instead of shutting the doors and urging the Minister, Ms Hargey MLA, to intervene to ensure this happens?

I thank all the Deputies for raising a variety of issues pertaining to the shared island programme and agenda. Deputy Richmond raised the broader issue in terms of potential. The Patrick Kielty contribution was an extraordinary one. It certainly struck a chord with many people who watched his contribution over and over again. It went viral and was very widely accessed by people. It illustrates the potential of ideas through the context of the shared island dialogue having an impact, getting people to think and reflect.

The research programme undertaken by the shared island fund has been quite comprehensive, in respect of the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, and the National Economic and Social Council, NESC. For example, the ESRI has done a very good piece of research on enhancing the attractiveness of the island in terms of high-value FDI, and on FDI intensity. There are a number of FDI projects in high-value sectors. Ireland ranks fourth and Northern Ireland 17th in Europe. Northern Ireland is above Scotland, north-east England and Wales. It goes through the different complementarities North and South and the different strengths. The advantage of the protocol for Northern Ireland has clearly been confirmed by evidence in the report that the European Union market potential has been a major driver of the location of choice of high-value FDI, including in manufacturing, which is a particular sectoral strength for Northern Ireland.

Shared island research was published in June on collaboration on healthcare on an all-island basis. There was a shared island dialogue on health participation with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and more than 120 sector stakeholders. There will be 11 publications under the Irish Research Council shared island programme in 2022, from June onwards, across a range of themes, and two reports on educational underachievement issued at the standing conference on teacher education in October. These are just illustrations of the kind of very detailed research underpinning a lot of work which we are funding. We are on the cusp of awarding up to €40 million in research projects between third level institutions in the Republic and in the North. Deputies will remember a call went out. It has been oversubscribed, which is a great illustration of the fact all in our third level community on the island are working together on projects that will be of benefit to the entire island, addressing challenges the island as a whole faces. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will be in a position to announce that shortly.

Deputy Kelly raised issues about other projects, including the railway and so forth. The €40 million is the most immediate, the Narrow Water bridge. We are looking at greenways, the north-west industrial development potential between the north-west development partnership group and Donegal County Council in terms of industrial centres on both sides of the Border to create attractions for employment.

In response to Deputy Durkan, the confidence in this is strong, particularly in the non-political field if I am honest. Many people want to get on with this and there is a lot of buy-in.

Deputy Ó Murchú and I have had the discussion before, as he referenced. The full potential of the Good Friday Agreement has never been realised, in my view. The shared island initiative is a very good mechanism and avenue to realising its full potential in that respect.

I will come back to the hostel in Belfast.

We are out of time.

We will communicate with the Northern Ireland Executive but it is a matter for it. On Doug Beattie, he has made it clear himself how unacceptable his tweets were.

He has been liking tweets to say he is sorry.

He himself has come forward and made it very clear they were absolutely unacceptable and wrong and he should not have done it.

I still did not get an answer. That is two different rounds where I did not get an answer.

I dealt with fuel. I have answered and responded on fuel poverty all day today. The Deputy asked questions earlier.

I have indicated the approach we intend as a Government, working with the social partners to deal with the cost of living and issues, including energy.

We need to move on to Question No. 20.

Top
Share