Written Answers Nos. 134-143
134. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the position on US sanctions imposed on Cuba in relation to banking operations and how that aligns with current EU policies on those sanctions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21314/23]
View answerIreland, and the EU, believe that the long-standing US economic embargo against Cuba serves no constructive purpose and believe the US unilateral measures against Cuba should be ended. It is our position that the USA’s economic, commercial and financial embargo contributes to the economic crisis in Cuba, negatively affecting the living standards of the Cuban people and resulting in humanitarian consequences.
At the UN level, Ireland, along with our European Union partners, consistently votes in the UN General Assembly in favour of the Resolution which condemns the US embargo, most recently on 3 November 2022. This Resolution has generally mandated, including last year, that the Secretary General compile a report on the implementation of the Resolution, including contributions from Member States. The EU has submitted feedback as part of this process, clearly outlining its position as set out above to the Secretary General.
I wish to assure you that Ireland, alongside our EU partners, will continue to engage with the US authorities on the issues around the embargo.
As you may be aware, the EU has made strong commitments in relation to humanitarian and development funding to Cuba under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument. Indicative allocations for the 2021-2024 period total €91m and focus on ecological transition, economic modernisation and other support measures. Humanitarian funding in response to the devastating effects of Hurricane Ian has also been provided.
In addition, the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) has provided the framework for EU-Cuba relations since 2017 and has allowed for a normalisation in relations. The recent visit of High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell to Cuba last month to represent the EU at the third Joint Council of the PDCA was welcome and demonstrates the EU's policy approach of critical but constructive engagement towards Cuba.
We will continue to engage on these issues with the Embassy of Cuba in Dublin, at EU level, and on the ground both through the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico, which is accredited to Cuba, and the EU Delegation in Havana.
135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he expects to be in a position to interact with the authorities in Northern Ireland post-local elections to the benefit of people and economies North and South. [21789/23]
View answerI remain in regular contact with political representatives in Northern Ireland, reiterating the urgent need for a functioning Assembly and Executive. While in Belfast last week I spoke with the main political parties. It is clear that there is a genuine desire to get the Executive back up and running, although differences of perspectives between parties. I believe there is a window of opportunity following the local elections to restore of the Executive and the Assembly and I urge members of all parties to take their seats so that the issues facing Northern Ireland can be addressed. People in Northern Ireland deserve to be represented by the politicians that they elected in May 2022.
The absence of a functioning Executive also has knock-on affects on the operation of Strand Two of the Agreement. In the absence of regular NSMC meetings, the two Administrations on the island are not having the important conversations that we should be having to address shared challenges and opportunities that impact people and economies North and South. It is vital that the Council is allowed to continue its work as soon as possible.
The Government wants to see the island of Ireland prosper. Increased economic prosperity, North or South, benefits us all. Our closely integrated all-island economy is one of the key dividends of the peace process and remains a priority. The Government will continue to work to create an enabling environment for businesses, North and South, to grow cross-border trade and further unlock the potential of the all-island economy.
I am also in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. We spoke by phone on Monday last, following on our meetings in Banbridge on 25 May and in Dublin on 16 May. In my recent contacts with the Secretary of State we spoke about the urgent need to restore the Northern Ireland political institutions, as well as other issues including the UK Legacy Bill. I will meet with the Secretary of State later today at the BIC in Jersey and again next week at the BIIGC in London.
136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in the context of North South Cooperation and mindful of the need to make a contribution to the Good Friday Agreement, the number of major and minor projects likely to be helpful and achievable in the short and medium-term under the guise of the mission statement of his Department. [23213/23]
View answer142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in the context of North South Cooperation and mindful of the need to make a contribution to the Good Friday Agreement, the number of major and minor projects likely to be helpful and achievable in the short and medium-term under the guise of the mission statement of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28838/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 142 together.
Last month, my Department published its new Statement of Strategy, which focuses on how the Department will seek to implement commitments set out in the Programme for Government to meet international challenges between 2023 and 2025. Among the goals set out in our Statement of Strategy is supporting peace and reconciliation at home, with a pledge to deepen North South cooperation and encourage the building of active cross-border links.
Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of the North South Ministerial Council to develop consultation, cooperation, and action within the island of Ireland on matters of mutual interest within the competence of the Administrations. It also provided for the establishment of North South Implementation Bodies to progress North South cooperation in agreed areas.
The Council and the Bodies are the formal means through which the Government develops and advances North South projects. We remain firmly committed working collaboratively with our counterparts in Northern Ireland, through the North South Ministerial Council, and supporting the work of the North South Bodies, to ensure that the North South institutions can achieve their full potential.
Unfortunately, ongoing disruption to the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, including the North South Ministerial Council, has complicated our ability to progress a number of important North South projects.
It is therefore crucial that the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are allowed to resume their work without further delay. This will allow us to move ahead with new and existing North South projects, to create a more connected, sustainable, and prosperous island for all communities.
I established the Shared Island Fund in 2020 to work with all communities to build a vision for our shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. The Shared Island Initiative is a whole-of-Government endeavour and a priority for my Department.
Over the past two years, we have taken forward this ambitious agenda by progressing a range of North South projects, bringing all communities together through our Shared Island Dialogue series, and delivering a comprehensive research programme to inform inclusive dialogue on the future of our island.
The Shared Island Fund is progressing the delivery of major and long-term North South infrastructure projects, such as the restoration of the Ulster Canal and the construction of the Narrow Water Bridge, but is also supporting a number of smaller scale innovative all-island programmes.
This includes the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, which is being administered by my Department, with €3 million allocated to support the emergence of new cross-border civic projects, complement work already taking place on a North South basis, and help civic society organisations to establish new strategic links.
I look forward to continuing to work with my Government colleagues and with our partners in Northern Ireland and Great Britain to develop new North South projects, including through the Shared Island Initiative, in the period ahead.
137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he continues to explore and promote the values of the Good Friday Agreement with authorities and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland. [24619/23]
View answerThe values and framework of the Good Friday Agreement, across its three Strands, are the foundation on which relationships across these islands are built, within Northern Ireland (Strand One), on this island (Strand Two), and East West (Strand Three).
The Agreement directly informs how the two Governments engage on a range of policy issues, in particular at this time the urgent need to restore the Strand One and Strand Two institutions to enable the full and effective implementation and operation of the Agreement across all three Strands.
In the Agreement, the parties, including the two Governments, affirmed their commitment to the mutual respect of the civil rights and the religious liberties of everyone in the community. This included the right to seek constitutional change by peaceful and legitimate means, the right to freedom from sectarian harassment and the right to equal opportunity for all. The strengthened protection of human rights in both jurisdictions set out in the Agreement was and continues to be a guarantee for the different traditions on the island of Ireland.
It is a matter of great regret that, twenty-five years on from the Agreement being signed, its institutions are not being allowed to deliver to their full capacity for the benefit of the people of this island. As co-guarantor of the Agreement, the Government take seriously our responsibility to proactively engage with all partners to resolve this situation. The people of Northern Ireland are entitled to a functioning Assembly and Executive. In recent weeks we have seen cuts to services that will affect the most vulnerable. Local leadership is required to address these challenges. I spoke with political representatives in Northern Ireland last week and reiterated the urgent need for a restoration of the power-sharing institutions.
I am also in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on this issue. I met with him on 16 May and will meet him again in the coming weeks at the British Irish Council and at the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference. At every meeting I also reiterate the Irish Government's continuing opposition to the British government's Legacy Bill.
I and my officials are in regular contact with community and civil society organisations in Northern Ireland. Last week I met with East Belfast GAA and the Museum of Orange Heritage to hear about the valuable work that they do in their communities. My Department also continues to support through the Reconciliation Fund, and through the new Shared Island Civic Society Fund, a wide variety of community and civil society organisations working to advance the shared, reconciled society promised by the Good Friday Agreement.
We will continue to seek way and opportunities to work with all communities, and with a new Executive, to harness the power of what we can achieve when we work together and to build consensus around our shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.
138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor and examine progress in respect of the spirit and the letter of the Good Friday Agreement; and the extent to which he can take further initiatives to promote those elements of the agreement which refer to or require continued action by his Department. [24995/23]
View answerThe full and effective operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a key priority for this Government, across all three Strands - the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland; the North South Ministerial Council and the Cross Border Bodies; and the East-West institutions. The Agreement is designed so that these institutions support and reinforce one another. Supporting, strengthening and effectively implementing the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements remains central to how we approach relationships on these islands.
As a co-Guarantor of the Agreement, together with the British Government, we have a particular responsibility to see these institutions operate as effectively as possible and delivering to the collective benefit of all of our citizens. We also engage regularly with the British Government, with Northern Ireland's political leaders, and with civil society, on the question of elements of the Agreement which are yet to be implemented.
The people of Northern Ireland are entitled to a functioning Assembly and Executive. I met with political representatives in Northern Ireland last week and reiterated the urgent need for a restoration of the power-sharing institutions. Their vote in last May's Assembly elections must be respected, so that the political leadership required if the urgent issues facing communities and families are to be addressed. These include improving access to healthcare, educational attainment and other core service delivery.
The absence of a functioning Executive also has knock-on effects on the operation of Strand Two of the Agreement. I am deeply concerned that the work of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) has been severely disrupted in recent years. In the absence of regular NSMC meetings, the two Administrations on the island are not having the important conversations that we should be having to address shared challenges and opportunities. It is vital that the Council is allowed to continue its work as soon as possible.
My Department also provides support through the Reconciliation Fund and the Shared Island Civic Society Fund to community and civil society organisations working to build better relations within and between traditions in Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between Ireland and Britain, in the framework of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Government continues to prioritise East-West cooperation and engagement through the Strand III institutions. This week, I will attend the 39th Summit of the British-Irish Council in Jersey and, next week,the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in London. These forums provide a unique platform to build relations across these islands and to address common challenges such as climate sustainability, building for the future, and protecting our unique cultures and individual languages. Members of this House also support Strand III engagement through their work with the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly.
The Government will continue to work across all strands of the Good Friday Agreement in support of the devolved power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland.
139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the new initiatives he intends to pursue to bring about a restoration of the Northern Assembly or the outstanding issues relating to the Good Friday Agreement. [26379/23]
View answerThe full and effective operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement across all its three strands is a key priority. Critical to this is the restoration of the Assembly and Executive, to give effect to the mandate given by the people of Northern Ireland in May 2022. The absence of a functioning Executive impacts on Strand Two of the Agreement, given the interoperability of the institutions of the two Strands. The full functioning of the North South Ministerial Council would enable the further development of initiatives in such areas as health and education which impact positively on the well-being of people in both jurisdictions.
I remain in regular contact with political representatives in Northern Ireland, reiterating the urgent need for a functioning Assembly and Executive., including during my visit to Belfast last week. It is clear from my contacts with parties that there is a genuine desire to get the Executive back up and running.
I am also in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with restoration of the institutions a core focus of our discussions. We met most recently in Banbridge on 25 May 2023, and spoke by phone on 12 June. I also held a lengthy bilateral engagement with him on 16 May 2023 in Dublin. As well as the urgent need to restore the Northern Ireland political institutions, I also reiterated the Government’s ongoing opposition to the British Government’s Legacy Bill, which will cause lasting damage to the work of reconciliation on this island.
The Secretary of State and I will meet this week, at the British Irish Council, and, next week, at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference , both Strand Three institutions.
The Government will continue to work across all strands of the Good Friday Agreement in support of the devolved power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland.
We will continue to seek ways and opportunities to work with all communities, and with a new Executive, to harness the power of what we can achieve when we work together and to build consensus around our shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.
140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which it is possible to elevate the debate on the aftermath of the Good Friday Agreement to ensure a higher level of cooperation at local level with particular reference to projects already under discussion and other areas likely to have a strong and positive impact on such discussions. [28329/23]
View answerThe full and effective operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a key priority for this Government, across all three Strands - the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland; the North South Ministerial Council and the Cross Border Bodies; and the East-West institutions. The Agreement is designed so that these institutions support and reinforce one another. Supporting, strengthening and effectively implementing the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements remains central to how we approach relationships on these islands.
As a co-Guarantor of the Agreement, together with the British government, we have a particular responsibility to see these institutions operate as effectively as possible and delivering to the collective benefit of all of our citizens. We also engage regularly with the British government, with Northern Ireland's political leaders, and with civil society, on the question of elements of the Agreement which are yet to be implemented.
The people of Northern Ireland are entitled to a functioning Assembly and Executive. In my discussions with political representatives while in Belfast last week I reiterated the urgent need for a restoration of the power-sharing institutions.
The absence of a functioning Executive has knock-on effects on the operation of Strand Two of the Agreement. I am deeply concerned that the work of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) has been severely disrupted in recent years. In the absence of regular NSMC meetings, the two Administrations on the island are not having the important conversations that we should be having to address shared challenges and opportunities. It is vital that the Council is allowed to continue its work as soon as possible.
My Department also provides support through the Reconciliation Fund and the Shared Island Civic Society Fund to community and civil society organisations working to build better relations within and between traditions in Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between Ireland and Britain, in the framework of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Government will continue to work across all strands of the Good Friday Agreement in support of the devolved power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland. It is crucial that the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are allowed to resume their work without further delay. This will allow us to move ahead with new and existing North South projects, to create a more connected, sustainable, and prosperous island for all communities.
141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he expects to be in a position to interact with the authorities in Northern Ireland post-local elections there to the benefit of people and economies North and South; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28837/23]
View answerI remain in regular contact with political representatives in Northern Ireland, reiterating the urgent need for a functioning Assembly and Executive.
I was in Belfast last week and while I was there I spoke with the main political parties. It is clear that there is a genuine desire to get the Executive back up and running. I believe there is a window of opportunity following the local elections to restore of the Executive and the Assembly and I urge members of all parties to take their seats so that the issues facing Northern Ireland can be addressed. People in Northern Ireland deserve to be represented by the politicians that they elected in May 2022.
The absence of a functioning Executive also has knock-on affects on the operation of Strand Two of the Agreement. I am deeply concerned that the work of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) has been severely disrupted in recent years. In the absence of regular NSMC meetings, the two Administrations on the island are not having the necessary conversations to address shared challenges and develop opportunities for the benefit of the people of this island. It is vital that the Council is allowed to resume its work as soon as possible.
The Government wants to see the island of Ireland prosper. Increased economic prosperity, North or South, benefits us all. Our closely integrated all-island economy is one of the key dividends of the peace process and remains a priority. The Government will continue to work to create an enabling environment for businesses, North and South, to grow cross-border trade and further unlock the potential of the all-island economy.
I am also in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, who I met most recently in Banbridge on 25 May 2023. I also held a lengthy bilateral engagement with him on 16 May 2023 in Dublin. In my recent contacts with the Secretary of State we spoke about the urgent need to restore the Northern Ireland political institutions. I will meet with the Secretary of State next week at the BIIGC in London where we will once again exchange views on how best to support the urgent restoration of the Strand One institutions.
The Government will continue to work closely on a North-South and an East-West basis in support of the devolved power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland and the full implementation of all of the Strands of the Good Friday Agreement and as well as subsequent agreements.
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he continues to explore and promote the values of the Good Friday Agreement with authorities and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28839/23]
View answerThe Good Friday Agreement is the agreed framework for relations across these islands. At the heart of the Agreement is parity of esteem, and a set of values which enable relations to be taken forward meaningfully, including a shared commitment to mutual respect and the civil and religious rights of all. It affirms the right to pursue democratically national and political aspirations, including constitutional change by peaceful, legitimate means. It also affirms the right to freely chose one's place of residence, the right to equal opportunity, the right to freedom from sectarian harassment, and the right of women to full political participation. To assist in vindicating these rights and values, and as provided for in the Agreement, institutions were created in both jurisdictions to strengthen the protection of human rights and to promote equality.
These values inform how my Department engages with authorities and voluntary groups across Northern Ireland, and relationships across these islands more generally.
It is a matter of great regret that, twenty-five years on, the institutions of the Agreement are not being allowed to deliver to their full capacity for the benefit of the people of this island. As co-guarantor of the Agreement, the Government takes seriously our responsibility to proactively engage with all partners to resolve this situation, which is why last week I engaged again with the Northern Ireland political parties and with the Secretary of State, reiterating the urgent need for a restoration of the power-sharing institutions.
In my discussions with the Secretary of State, I reiterated the Government's continuing opposition to the British government's unilateral Legacy Bill, which I believe does not, as proposed, sufficiently acknowledge and address the suffering of victims of violence which the Agreement says is a necessary element of reconciliation, and falls short of vindicating the human rights of all.
My Department continues to support, through the Reconciliation Fund and the new Shared Island Civic Society Fund, a wide variety of community and civil society organisations working to advance the shared, reconciled society promised by the Good Friday Agreement. This engagement and support of civil society is taken forward in the framework of the Agreement, as is made explicitly clear in the Reconciliation Fund Strategy (2021-2024) and the approach underpinning the Civic Society Fund. As part of my regular contact with community and civil society organisations in Northern Ireland, I last week met with East Belfast GAA and the Museum of Orange Heritage to hear about the valuable work that they do in their communities.
