Bernard Durkan
Question:25. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the extent to which he expects to develop the Shared Island Initiative in the context of the resumption of the Assembly. [6347/24]
View answerNorthern Ireland
Questions (25)
Written answers
Today, (Tuesday 20th February) the Government confirmed a range of funding allocations which affirms its commitment to work with the new Executive, and with the UK Government, to implement cross-border investment cooperation that will make the island of Ireland a better place to live for all communities.
This is the largest ever package of Government funding for cross-border investments and is in addition to the near €250 million already allocated from the Shared Island Fund for more than 15 major projects and programmes.
These decisions take forward the Government’s priorities for the initiative in 2024, which I set out in a speech to the 3rd Shared Island Forum earlier this month. Our funding commitments also reflect years of cooperation and partnership by successive British and Irish Government, and with the Northern Ireland Executive and Departments.
Firstly, the Government has decided to make a commitment of €600m to the A5 road upgrade to Derry and Donegal. The statutory activities are at an advanced stage in Northern Ireland, and it is feasible that construction on the A5 could commence later this year.
The Government will also advance planning and design work for the related N2 Clontibret to the border and TEN-T Donegal schemes, to bring North-West road connectivity on a par with other parts of the island, North and South.
The Government is also making substantial allocations under the Shared Island Fund. This includes a €50m contribution to the redevelopment of Casement Park stadium in Belfast. This will help realise a long-planned sports infrastructure project in the city and maximise the benefit for Northern Ireland of the joint hosting by Ireland and the UK of the UEFA EURO2028 championship, so this is a North/South project and an East/West project.
In addition, the Government has decided to move ahead with:
- our long-standing commitment to the Narrow Water Bridge between the Cooley peninsula in County Louth and south County Down;
- development of new cooperation schemes in the areas of education and enterprise;
- introduction of an hourly-frequency rail service from Dublin to Belfast. This will almost double the existing service by 2025 and multiply the potential for new business, education and community connections along the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor.
The Government also agreed to progress a major investment in a renewed visitor experience at the Battle of the Boyne site, to enhance conservation and the heritage and tourism profile of a place of unique historic and community significance, including an allocation in principle of €10m from the Shared Island Fund.
We are also moving ahead with work to assist with a UNESCO World Heritage status bid for the trans-boundary Astronomical Observatories of Ireland partnership and related feasibility work up to €250,000 on how the heritage and tourism value of the three sites is harnessed in the years ahead.
The commitments made are about realising the potential of all-island investment cooperation, boosting the all-island economy and improving connections North and South.
This is about understanding that - whatever the constitutional future of Northern Ireland or of the island as a whole - investing in people, in quality of life, in opportunity, and for the generations to come are all of our responsibilities and a common good we can best progress by working together.
That is the focus of the Government’s Shared Island initiative and these announcements represent a very substantial step forward.
Questions Nos. 26 to 29, inclusive, resubmitted.
EU Meetings
Questions (30)
Alan Farrell
Question:30. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Taoiseach to report on his engagements at the special meeting of the European Council on Ukraine and the EU budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6369/24]
View answerWritten answers
On 1 February, I attended a Special European Council in Brussels. The main item on the agenda was the mid-term review of the EU budget for the period 2021-27, including agreement on a €50 billion assistance package for Ukraine.
The package agreed provides an additional financial envelope in the budget of €64.6 billion, through a mix of new and existing funds.
Taking account of redeployments of €10.6 billion, and the €33 billion in loans in the money for Ukraine, the net amount of new monies being committed under the revision is €21 billion.
€50 billion will now go to the Ukraine Facility – €17 billion in grants and €33 billion in loans - that puts financial assistance for Ukraine over the next four years onto a predictable and sustainable footing.
Additional funding will also now be available for priorities including migration, external action and the solidarity and emergency reserve that supports Member States subject to disasters.
We also held a strategic discussion on the situation in the Middle East. I once again strongly advocated for an immediate ceasefire that would allow access for the humanitarian supplies so urgently needed in Gaza, as well as for the immediate release of all remaining hostages.
We also discussed challenges facing the agricultural sector and significant concerns raised by farmers in several Member States.
Questions Nos. 31 to 43, inclusive, resubmitted.
Legislative Programme
Questions (44)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:44. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [5113/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government Legislation Programme, which was published on 16th January 2024, sets out Government legislative priorities for the current parliamentary session. The current programme includes 46 bills for priority publication and drafting across a number of areas including healthcare, access to housing, stronger safer communities and road safety, amongst many others during the Spring Dáil session.
Since this Government came to office in June 2020, 187 bills have been published of which 177 have been enacted to date. During this current Dáil session we will build on this work through the priority publication of 22 pieces of legislation and the drafting of a further 24 bills.
There are currently 26 bills at various stages across both Houses of the Oireachtas. These include legislation that will amend and improve our planning system; provide for the regulation of gambling in Ireland and protect the rights and safety of children, their parents and all those involved in a surrogacy arrangement. I will continue to work with all members to progress legislation through both Houses of the Oireachtas.
The current Legislation Programme does not include any bills in preparation in the Department of the Taoiseach as there are no legislative matters in the Department remit that require to be prioritised at this time.
The Department of the Taoiseach will continue to play a central role in supporting effective coordination and prioritisation of policy and legislative developments across Government through Government meetings, the Cabinet Committees structures and the Government Legislation Committee.
Legislative Programme
Questions (45)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:45. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [5297/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government Legislation Programme, which was published on 16th January 2024, sets out Government legislative priorities for the current parliamentary session. The current programme includes 46 bills for priority publication and drafting across a number of areas including healthcare, access to housing, stronger safer communities and road safety, amongst many others during the Spring Dáil session.
Since this Government came to office in June 2020, 187 bills have been published of which 177 have been enacted to date. During this current Dáil session we will build on this work through the priority publication of 22 pieces of legislation and the drafting of a further 24 bills.
There are currently 26 bills at various stages across both Houses of the Oireachtas. These include legislation that will amend and improve our planning system; provide for the regulation of gambling in Ireland and protect the rights and safety of children, their parents and all those involved in a surrogacy arrangement. I will continue to work with all members to progress legislation through both Houses of the Oireachtas.
The current Legislation Programme does not include any bills in preparation in the Department of the Taoiseach as there are no legislative matters in the Department remit that require to be prioritised at this time.
The Department of the Taoiseach will continue to play a central role in supporting effective coordination and prioritisation of policy and legislative developments across Government through Government meetings, the Cabinet Committees structures and the Government Legislation Committee.
Legislative Programme
Questions (46)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:46. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [6306/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government Legislation Programme, which was published on 16th January 2024, sets out Government legislative priorities for the current parliamentary session. The current programme includes 46 bills for priority publication and drafting across a number of areas including healthcare, access to housing, stronger safer communities and road safety, amongst many others during the Spring Dáil session.
Since this Government came to office in June 2020, 187 bills have been published of which 177 have been enacted to date. During this current Dáil session we will build on this work through the priority publication of 22 pieces of legislation and the drafting of a further 24 bills.
There are currently 26 bills at various stages across both Houses of the Oireachtas. These include legislation that will amend and improve our planning system; provide for the regulation of gambling in Ireland and protect the rights and safety of children, their parents and all those involved in a surrogacy arrangement. I will continue to work with all members to progress legislation through both Houses of the Oireachtas.
The current Legislation Programme does not include any bills in preparation in the Department of the Taoiseach as there are no legislative matters in the Department remit that require to be prioritised at this time.
The Department of the Taoiseach will continue to play a central role in supporting effective coordination and prioritisation of policy and legislative developments across Government through Government meetings, the Cabinet Committees structures and the Government Legislation Committee.
Legislative Programme
Questions (47)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:47. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [6209/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government Legislation Programme, which was published on 16th January 2024, sets out Government legislative priorities for the current parliamentary session. The current programme includes 46 bills for priority publication and drafting across a number of areas including healthcare, access to housing, stronger safer communities and road safety, amongst many others during the Spring Dáil session.
Since this Government came to office in June 2020, 187 bills have been published of which 177 have been enacted to date. During this current Dáil session we will build on this work through the priority publication of 22 pieces of legislation and the drafting of a further 24 bills.
There are currently 26 bills at various stages across both Houses of the Oireachtas. These include legislation that will amend and improve our planning system; provide for the regulation of gambling in Ireland and protect the rights and safety of children, their parents and all those involved in a surrogacy arrangement. I will continue to work with all members to progress legislation through both Houses of the Oireachtas.
The current Legislation Programme does not include any bills in preparation in the Department of the Taoiseach as there are no legislative matters in the Department remit that require to be prioritised at this time.
The Department of the Taoiseach will continue to play a central role in supporting effective coordination and prioritisation of policy and legislative developments across Government through Government meetings, the Cabinet Committees structures and the Government Legislation Committee.
Questions Nos. 48 and 49 resubmitted.