The established forum for advancing North South cooperation is the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), which was established under Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement. In the Council, the Government works with the Northern Ireland Executive to advance areas of practical co-operation which are to our mutual benefit in twelve agreed areas. There is currently no ongoing research commissioned under the remit of this Department through the North South Ministerial Council.
The absence of a functioning Executive in Northern Ireland has knock-on effects on the operation of Strand Two of the Agreement and the work of the NSMC has been severely disrupted in recent years. It is vital that the Council is allowed to resume its work as soon as possible.
Any research work commissioned by Ministers meeting in a specific NSMC Sectoral format is referenced in the joint communique for the relevant sector and is a matter for the relevant Departments. The joint communiques are available on the NSMC website: www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org
To support development of an ambitious agenda for cooperation and connection on the island, the Government’s Shared Island Initiative is delivering an ongoing comprehensive research programme, working with the ESRI, the National Economic and Social Council, the Irish Research Council and other partners. Research will continue to be published through 2024, focused on opportunities to deepen cooperation across a range of economic, social and environmental domains. Further information is available at www.gov.ie/SharedIsland/Research.
