Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:1. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on education will next meet. [60870/22]
Ceisteanna - Questions
Cabinet Committees
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:2. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on education will next meet. [60876/22]
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the committee that deals with education will next meet. [3407/23]
Paul Murphy
Ceist:4. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the committee that deals with education will next meet. [3409/23]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4 together.
The newly established Cabinet committee on children and education will oversee the implementation of programme for Government commitments in the area of children and education with a specific focus on child poverty and well-being. The first meeting of this Cabinet committee will take place shortly.
This new Cabinet committee will have a greater focus on improving the lives of all children in Ireland and on giving them the best start possible.
I speak regularly with the Ministers, Deputies Foley and Harris, at Cabinet and away from Cabinet, and I also speak with the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan. Education is the great leveller and the best way people can build a better life for themselves and their families.
Every time I visit a school, I meet students who are full of optimism and enthusiasm about the future. They believe anything is possible and through the world of learning, they can achieve anything they want.
I raise the issue of provision for students with autism spectrum disorder, ASD. I will talk specifically about north County Louth. I have received correspondence from the relevant special educational needs organiser, SENO. I will not name every school in north County Louth but I will name a couple of them. Coláiste Chú Chulainn has two ASD classes. St. Vincent's Secondary School has one ASD class. Sanction has been granted to that school for an additional three classes and that expansion is due to happen before September 2024. An extension to Bush Post Primary School is under construction and will house an ASD classroom. The projected completion date for that project is September 2024. I could also talk about De La Salle College, St. Louis Secondary School, Coláiste Rís, the Marist school and Ó Fiaich Institute of Further Education. There have obviously been conversations involving the SENO and the Department about delivery. There are many projections for 2024. A significant amount of work must be done in respect of planning. There will even be difficulties in respect of the Marist school because it is a public private partnership build. We must ensure there is a full Government response to allow for delivery.
There are issues in respect of ASD services within the HSE and the education sector. We must ensure we can deliver for those parents in Dundalk and throughout County Louth who are pulling their hair out because they are not sure where their kids are going to be able to go to school.
There have been a number of recent media reports about the treatment of staff at a college in south Dublin, the Spiritan-run Templeogue College. Last month, two dozen teachers raised concerns about a non-inclusive culture regarding LGBT+ issues and the taking down of a Pride flag in the student canteen. Clearly, we need to ensure staff and students from the LGBT community and minority backgrounds are protected in all schools and that employees are guaranteed equality in their workplaces. The Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, has estimated that thousands of its members are still forced to hide their sexuality due to fears of discrimination and that is despite the amendment to the Equality Act introduced on foot of Labour Party initiatives in 2015 which addressed some of the discrimination then possible in faith-based schools. Despite that important amendment, there still remain concerns about treatment of staff, discrimination on the grounds of sexuality and there are, in particular, ongoing issues in Templeogue College. What plans does the Government have to address incidents such as these that have occurred in particular schools? What plans does the Government have to ensure that LGBT+ staff in the education sector can be protected and no longer have to hide their sexuality and who they are? It is a concern to see reports that this behaviour is still going on years after the passage of legalisation in respect of marriage equality and other legislative reform in this area.
The Taoiseach said that the Cabinet committee was concerned with the well-being of children. I wonder has he considered two things in respect of our National Educational Psychological Service. The child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, suggests a damning situation in respect of the treatment of young people with mental health issues and so on. There is a big overlap between that issue and the need for proper psychological services in schools. Such services are already considerably under-resourced and understaffed. There is a particular lack of psychologists. Children who are fleeing war and the children of refugees are often already traumatised and are then moved around from school to school and area to area when they need stability. We need psychological services and supports for those children. At every level, we need to up our game considerably in respect of the availability of psychological services. We would ideally have psychologists in every school. We make it incredibly difficult for people to qualify as educational psychologists because of extortionate fees.
The action plan on bullying refers to progress in providing safe and supportive school environments for LGBTQ+ students. My question to the Taoiseach is, what will the Department do in circumstances where that is not the case and where there is, in the words of the staff of the Spiritan-run Templeogue College, a toxic culture and atmosphere? I will quote from a collective grievance submitted by a majority of staff members of that institution. Writing to the principal, they stated that regrettably, matters came to a head recently when the principal unilaterally decided to remove a rainbow Pride flag from the school canteen area, which became a rather emotional issue for many of the students and staff in the school. They went on to say that the removal of the Pride flag from the school canteen was not an isolated incident. Following the incident, the principal reportedly cited the Spiritan ethos as justification for the action. The staff expressed that they were upset and disturbed by the principal's statement. They went on to state that this episode merely represented one instance of a contribution to a non-inclusive culture and environment regarding LGBTQ+ issues, led by the principal in her capacity as head teacher. The staff also expressed their deep unease about the principal's belief that any LGBTQI+ individual is living a lifestyle, as she described in meetings on 21 and 22 November 2022. They went on to state that the facilitation process says that for many, the style of management, especially from the principal, feels oppressive, unsafe and fear-inducing in many aspects.
I thank the Deputies for raising these various matters. Deputy Ó Murchú mentioned the issue of ASD classes in County Louth. I agree we have a need for more investment across the country to allow space for more ASD classes come September, when they are particularly going to be needed. They are needed now but they will be needed even more come September. That will require additional capital investment. The Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, are engaging with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, on precisely that issue at the moment. In fairness to the Department of Education, once it gets capital funding, it tends to be able to spend it. That is not always the case with every Department for various reasons. The Department is engaging on that issue as we speak.
I am not inclined to answer questions about a specific school because I do not necessarily know if what I read in media reports is accurate or reflects the full story. However, I can say that there should be no place for discrimination against LGBT students and staff in any school, full stop, regardless of patronage or whether the school in question charges fees. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Foley, to respond to any questions about a specific school.
I agree with the view that there should be a psychologist in every school, certainly any school of scale. A service should be available to smaller schools. Achieving that, of course, is a different matter. There are skills shortages across the board in Ireland and, indeed, there are similar shortages across the rest of the world. There are only so many psychologists to go around. We must consider-----
The Government should get rid of fees for educational psychologists.
------how they can best be deployed.
The issue of the CAMHS report was raised. The findings of the independent review are concerning and raise significant risks and deficits. Similar to the Mental Health Commission, I thank the young people and their families who spoke to those conducting the independent review and shared their experiences. That was not easy. It is incumbent on all of us to listen and ensure that action is taken. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has been clear on this point. I will meet her and the HSE on the issue of the CAMHS report tomorrow.
It should be said that the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, asked the Mental Health Commission to expand the remit of its report following on from the Maskey report. I am advised there has been ongoing and extensive engagement between the Department of Health, the HSE and the Mental Health Commission concerning the findings.
Following receipt of the draft of the interim report in late 2022, the HSE acted in relation to individual service users. It is essential that a full review of open cases by the HSE takes place to ensure that all children and young people are receiving the appropriate care they need. I am told this is now under way. The HSE will arrange further clinical follow-up for any child where it is required and will make direct contact with parents and guardians as necessary. We are encouraging any people with particular concerns about their children to contact their key workers.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Alan Farrell
Ceist:5. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Taoiseach if he will report on recent engagements with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. [60873/22]
Mick Barry
Ceist:6. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. [1183/23]
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:7. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the extent to which he has had discussions with his UK or European counterparts in respect of the Northern Ireland protocol. [2231/23]
Mick Barry
Ceist:8. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent engagements with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. [3279/23]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 8, inclusive, together.
I spoke with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, by telephone on 11 January 2023. This was my first opportunity to speak with the President since my reappointment as Taoiseach. She offered me her congratulations and we said we looked forward to operating closely on the important agenda of work ahead at European level, not least our collective response to the war in Ukraine and the current economic situation.
We took the opportunity for an exchange on current negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom on the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. I briefed the President on efforts under way to restore the Assembly and Executive in Northern Ireland, as well as the North-South bodies, which are not functioning. We welcomed the improved atmosphere and engagement in the negotiations on the protocol and expressed a shared desire for joint solutions to issues that have arisen for people and businesses in Northern Ireland in its implementation. I thanked the President, Vice-President Šefčovič and their teams for their work and wished them every success in the period ahead. We said we looked forward to meeting in person at the special European Council meeting, which will take place in Brussels on 9 and 10 February.
I met the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week. She looked forward to visiting Dublin and made clear the Parliament’s continuing interest in a positive outcome to the negotiations with the United Kingdom.
I spoke with Prime Minister Sunak by phone on 23 January. We discussed a range of issues, including restoring the democratic institutions in Northern Ireland and the North-South institutions, the ongoing EU negotiations on the protocol and our shared wish to strengthen British-Irish relations more broadly.
I thank the Taoiseach for his response. I think everybody was pleased to hear of his remarks on the improved atmosphere in Northern Ireland. The restoration of power-sharing is of paramount importance but the remaining issues and sticking points on the protocol must be progressed promptly or there undoubtedly will be repercussions. In his meetings with political parties in Northern Ireland and that with the British Prime Minister, which I believe was subsequent to his meeting with President von der Leyen, were there further reasons to be optimistic about an agreement on the protocol?
Was there any discussion with President von der Leyen on the REPowerEU plan? Will he report to the House on that matter?
The Saudi state is trying to persuade many European universities to set up campuses in the new King Abdullah Economic City. In June last year representatives of the city met those of several Irish universities and of Enterprise Ireland to this end. The meeting came just three months after the Saudi state executed 81 prisoners, mainly by beheading, in one day. Many were political prisoners and many had been imprisoned for the crime of being a member of a religious minority.
According to the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights, there are currently 61 Saudi prisoners on death row, eight of whom were arrested when they were minors. Human rights campaigners fear another mass execution in the weeks ahead. That is why they are organising protests in 60 countries on 10 and 11 February. Will the Taoiseach join me in saying that no Irish university should establish a campus in Saudi Arabia or be part of a PR exercise for this brutally repressive regime? Will he urge Ursula von der Leyen to say the same thing for Europe as a whole?
I commend the Taoiseach on the discussions he has already had. The time involved in the discussion on the Northern Ireland protocol is important. It cannot remain static, immovable or unmoved for a considerable period, considering the extent to which the European Union supported the calls to prevent land borders in this country, the need to address the pressing issues from the point of view of the European Union and the United States and the need to work at the issues involved with a view to resolving them at the earliest possible date.
I agree with much of what has been said. The mood music seems to be better when dealing with the British Government. The Taoiseach has said the Irish protocol is working, particularly in relation to business. We are hopeful there will be a deal between the European Commission and the British Government. That needs to happen as soon as possible. We also want to see the Executive up and running. We do not accept there is a legitimate reason for it not to be up and running but the DUP has set itself up in what I would term a political cul-de-sac. That is for its members but we need to ensure all stakeholders know there can be no return to anything that even smells like a hard border. The protocol being streamlined is to be welcomed by everybody. I acknowledge the Taoiseach cannot look into a crystal ball but does he believe there will be a deal relatively soon? Is he hopeful of having the Executive running? Anything the Government can do should be done.
I will use the Taoiseach's recent conversations with President von der Leyen as a springboard into the conversation I want to have. When the President was here in December, she spoke of Ireland’s great reception for those who came seeking sanctuary. In the last couple of days, it has once again been announced that accommodation will not be provided to people who come here seeking international protection. People have a right to pursue asylum. It is not fair for the State to say it will not be in a position to accommodate those people. That will mean refugees will be placed on the streets at a time of incredible tension and, I would say, unprecedented aggression. The State needs to do better. We understand Putin is using refugees as a tool in his war. I do not discount that but the State cannot neglect its responsibilities. We cannot say to communities already under massive strain and pressure that they can deal with it themselves. The State has a role. It cannot be in three or four weeks’ time; it has to be now. The Ministers responsible need to up their game. I do not doubt the pressure they are under but they must do better.
I ask again about the refugee discrimination the Government is engaged in. Why is a person from Ukraine more entitled to be accommodated than a person from Yemen or Syria, when both are fleeing similar conditions? The Taoiseach earlier said it was because they have a different status but it is a political decision of the Government to give them such a status so it does not answer the question. Why treat them differently? Is it because one is European? Is it because one is white?
This policy against certain refugees is scapegoating the most vulnerable in our society in an attempt to cover up the fact that the Government’s housing policy is a complete failure. This policy will see hundreds of additional men and women rough sleeping in the coming weeks, exacerbating the crisis. Those who arrived yesterday received a €20 Dunnes voucher and were told they would be emailed when the accommodation becomes available. It is scandalous when there are over 160,000 vacant homes in the State that the Government is doing nothing about. Does the Taoiseach accept there is no such thing as an illegal asylum seeker? Everyone has the right to come here and apply for asylum.
In a fairly terrifying development, yesterday the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which was instigated by Albert Einstein and other atomic scientists in 1945, moved the doomsday clock to 90 seconds to midnight from previously being 100 seconds to midnight.
The atomic scientists describe this as a metaphor for how close humanity is to self-annihilation. Previously, the nearest the clock had been to midnight was 17 minutes, which was at the end of the Cold War. It is now at 90 seconds. That organisation cites specifically the threat of nuclear war as a result of the escalation of the war in Ukraine.
We all know that Putin instigated that war and is the culprit of an unjustified and brutal invasion, but there is no sign whatsoever from the EU or from President von der Leyen - quite the opposite - of an attempt to de-escalate this terrifying situation. That is not in any way to mitigate Putin’s crimes but escalating this war to the possibility of a nuclear conflict is too scary to even think about. That is what the atomic scientists believe. When the Taoiseach looks at tanks and the escalation of this, is he not scared? Does he not think that a neutral country such as Ireland should be calling for the de-escalation of this terrifying conflict?
I absolutely call for de-escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. The best way it can be de-escalated is for Russia to withdraw, either by withdrawing fully from Ukraine or at least by withdrawing to the boundaries as they were this time last year. That is the best way for us to de-escalate this war and-----
And if not, we will blow ourselves to hell.
-----that is what I am calling for.
To go back to the initial question by Deputy Alan Farrell, it is correct to say that there is an improved atmosphere between the European Commission and the UK Government. It is a much better atmosphere, a much better backdrop and a much better mood music than I have seen or heard at any period since Brexit was passed. There is increased trust. I think there is increased flexibility on both sides and there is also increased confidentiality, which is also very important. We have all agreed to make sure that these talks and negotiations can happen in a confidential setting. That is not to say that there are not big differences and gaps; there are. Those gaps will be hard to close and those differences will be hard to resolve.
When I spoke with President von der Leyen on the phone, we did not have a chance to discuss REPowerEU but that may well be a topic of discussion on 9 and 10 February. In my conversation with the Prime Minister, Mr. Sunak, we discussed the protocol and I restated our objection to the UK’s legacy legislation, as well as our concerns around the proposed electronic travel authorisation which could adversely affect EU citizens and non-EU citizens trying to go from North to South.
In terms of a timeline for an agreement, there is no definite timeline and there is no deadline. We would all love to see a resolution before the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement or if not, before St. Patrick’s Day. However, I cannot say that this will be possible at this stage. There is no particular deadline in that regard.
On the death penalty, I wish to make clear that Ireland is opposed to the death penalty in any country. However, as a general principle we do not support boycotts and disinvestment because we believe that more can be achieved by engagement. I am not aware of any Irish universities that plan to set up a campus in Saudi Arabia. Obviously, they would have to think for themselves about what might be involved in that. There are Saudi students who come here to study in Ireland. I have met some of them. They are great ambassadors for their country and they are very much welcome here.
Finally, on the refugee crisis, as I said earlier we should not forget the context. We are facing an unprecedented situation with a refugee crisis in Europe the likes of which we have not seen since the Second World War and the likes of which we have never seen in Ireland. Let us not forget that last year, we welcomed almost 100,000 people to Ireland from Ukraine and from other parts of the world. We provided them with shelter, food, heat, light, education for their children, healthcare and, in many cases, employment. We can be proud as a society of what we have done in the past year. There is no lack of compassion from the Government or from the Irish people but there is a lack of capacity. We are doing all we can at the moment to source more accommodation. In the meantime, we have to prioritise and we will be prioritising people coming from Ukraine, as well as people who are not coming here from Ukraine such as children, families, vulnerable adults and, of course, programme refugees. Yet, we cannot guarantee accommodation for everyone who comes to the country unannounced. We will certainly not turn anyone away but we will say to people that if they are thinking of coming to Ireland and if they are in a safe country, if they are in a safe place and if they have accommodation, they need to be aware of the fact that accommodation is not necessarily available in Ireland. People coming here are of all sorts of different status. Citizens from the EU and the UK are free to come here at will, provided they can support themselves. We issue 40,000 work permits every year to people of every colour, race and religion who come here legally. They are allowed to do that and they are extremely welcome. We need them to power our economy and run our public services. It does not matter what their race, religion or colour is. People who come here from Ukraine are beneficiaries of temporary protection under EU law, which is above national law, and have a particular status. Programme refugees, including those coming from Syria, for example, have a particular status. Those who are seeking international protection also have a particular status but it is a different status from the ones that I mentioned.
North-South Implementation Bodies
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:9. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the extent to which developments have taken place on the shared island initiative. [60887/22]
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:10. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the latest work of his Department’s shared island unit. [60889/22]
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:11. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of his Department’s shared island unit. [60891/22]
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:12. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the extent to which Irish authorities continue to support moves to restore the Northern Ireland Assembly, with particular reference to any funding initiatives through the shared island approach. [62057/22]
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:13. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the degree to which he expects the shared island approach to influence the evolution of North-South and east-west relations in the future. [62058/22]
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:14. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the shared island unit of his Department. [61815/22]
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:15. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach to report on the work and status of the shared island unit. [3342/23]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 15, inclusive, together.
As provided for in the programme for Government, we are continuing our shared island initiative to deliver benefits for the whole island and work with all communities for a shared future, as underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. This involves unprecedented co-operative all-island investment, through our €1 billion shared island fund, hearing from all communities on how we can practically better share this island into the future and providing a stronger evidence base and analysis of the whole island through a programme of published research.
The initiative is being taken forward by Ministers and their Departments on a whole-of-government basis, driven and co-ordinated through the shared island unit, which remains in the Department of the Taoiseach. Over the past two years, the Government has allocated €191 million from the shared island fund to move ahead with long-standing commitments such as the Ulster Canal and the Narrow Water bridge projects and to deliver new all-island investments. These projects respond to common interests and concerns for people right across the island, including climate action, biodiversity, regional development, innovation and deepening our societal connections.
Thus far this year, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, commenced a new €3 million shared island civic society funding scheme. Last week, on 19 January, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, announced a call for a new €15 million electric vehicle, EV, charging scheme. This will develop a network of publicly accessible, community-focused, EV charging points at sports clubs across the island of Ireland. The Government will seek to undertake significantly more all-island investment co-operation with a new Northern Ireland Executive and with the British Government.
The continuing absence of the Executive and the inability of the North-South Ministerial Council to meet adversely affect what is possible and there is an urgent need to get all of the political institutions of the agreement operating again, including the North-South bodies. I held constructive discussions with the leaders of the five main political parties in Belfast on 12 January and the Government will continue to work with the British Government and with the leaders of the parties in Northern Ireland, to do all we can to have the institutions back up and running as soon as possible.
I thank the Taoiseach for his extensive reply. At this stage, I feel the important thing to concentrate on is the stalled negotiations, which appear to have been stalled for a considerable time. I know that is not the fault of anybody on either side. It is just a circumstance that arose as a result of circumstances outside of the control of this jurisdiction and others. The important thing now, I believe, is that a special effort be made to co-ordinate all thinking within the UK, Northern Ireland and Europe to bring together in a concentrated way the minds of those who are involved, with a view to sharing what we have and what we can share. Community development and support for communities is a huge area that can be moved forward at any time while we are awaiting the return of the Assembly. The most important point is it will also help to speed up the recognition of the Assembly. The last point I want to make is that when negotiations stall, those stalls are usually filled by alternatives.
The alternatives that come to mind, in this case, are not necessarily good. I strongly support the line being taken by the Government and ask that, as a matter of urgency, there be an accelerated programme of engagement with society in Northern Ireland in a helpful way, not to overwhelm or overcome the community but simply to encourage them into our way of thinking.
Much of the shared island unit has been positive, including some of the programmes the Taoiseach mentioned, such as charging schemes and so on. A significant degree of modelling and comparative research has been carried out North and South, although some of that modelling should be expanded into modelling 32-county systems because that is necessary preparatory work that needs to be done. Obviously, that is something that all of us in my part of the world would like to see delivered on and there are considerable gains to be made.
I agree with Deputy Durkan that it is vital we get negotiations going and get an Executive up and running and, as the Taoiseach said, that the necessary North-South Ministerial Council meetings be held along with those of all the necessary institutions that relate to the Good Friday Agreement. Beyond that, I think the Taoiseach accepts there is a changed dialogue on this island in regard to Irish unity. The shared island dialogue has not gone to the places it should go in the sense of accepting that this conversation is happening among the general public North and South and among many people who would never have considered Irish unity previously. My party has been straightforward regarding our call whereby we believe that one of the preparatory steps that needs to be taken relates to a citizens' assembly, but I am not especially caught up on what it will be called or will look like as long as it can deliver some facility whereby the people of Ireland, North and South, can have conversations about what the possibilities are for a future 32-county state of which we can all be part. I reiterate Ireland both North and South has changed very much, so it will look very different from what any of us would have considered to be Irish unity 20 or 30 years ago.
The Taoiseach is in the driving seat. He has an ability to bring the shared island unit to a place where it should be. What are his plans in that regard?
One of the features of our shared island is the demoralisation of nurses, midwives and other healthcare workers both North and South. Tomorrow, there will be further strike action by nurses in the North over a pay cut, in real terms, that they are suffering, where there is extreme demoralisation among nurses and a severe crisis in being able to recruit and retain them because of massive understaffing and so on in hospitals in the North and elsewhere throughout the UK.
Does that not sound familiar? Simultaneously, down here, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, has suggested industrial action may be necessary because of the catastrophe nurses are facing in the South. I invite the Taoiseach to indicate his support for nurses in the North, who are going on strike to get decent pay, and to recognise the desperate pleas of nurses in our own hospitals, down South, regarding the absolute crisis and demoralisation they face because of chronic under-resourcing, understaffing, a lack of beds and, added to that, the impossibility of finding affordable accommodation for many nurses because of the Government's failure to address the housing crisis.
To follow on from my party colleague, Deputy Ó Murchú, there is an opportunity here and we hope the Taoiseach, having returned to the office, will grasp it with the shared island unit. We call on the Government to consider a citizens' assembly on Irish unity because we believe we need to plan for this. We are not looking to push any community to where they do not want to go. The Taoiseach last week made some very conciliatory comments when he reached out to the unionist community, and that is what we want to do as well. We want to reach out to them and engage with them because we have a vision and, obviously, they have their vision. Our vision is for a united Ireland, and we feel that by having the conversation, we will not push people but engage with them in a positive way to put down their thoughts and feelings along with ours. We need the Executive up and running. I canvassed in the North last year for the Northern Ireland Assembly election. It was an unbelievable election, and I saw Michelle O'Neill emerge as the leader of the Assembly, a position that has not been confirmed but which she obtained because of her fabulous election performance. We believe that with the Taoiseach's support and that of the other parties in the North, we can get the Assembly up and running. It is really important. As Deputy Boyd Barrett said, things that need to happen in the North are being held up because the Executive is not operating, and we have to work on that.
I thank the Deputies. To respond to Deputy Durkan, I absolutely agree there are things we can do to move things forward absent an Assembly and Executive, and the shared island fund is part of that. It is one of the few positive things that is happening North-South at the moment. It is making a difference in Northern Ireland and has been a very successful initiative by the Government, particularly led by the Tánaiste and former Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin. Another thing we are working on is PEACE PLUS, an EU-UK fund of about €1 billion to invest in Northern Ireland and enhance North-South co-operation. We hope to be able to come to an agreement on that in the first half of this year.
While I am talking about North-South matters, I restate the Government's support for the A5 project, the new road to be built between Aughnacloy and New Buildings, helping to connect Derry and Letterkenny as well to the rest of the State. It is a very dangerous road. A campaign was relaunched in Northern Ireland only in the past week of which the GAA and other bodies are a part and on which they are showing real leadership. We are keen to see that project through planning. We want to contribute to the cost of it and we are going to make sure we prepare for the tie-ins on our side of the Border, such as the project from Clontibret to the Border.
Turning to Deputy Ó Murchú’s questions, in fairness, a lot of the shared island research programme looks at the differences between North and South, such as how health services and primary care services are structured in Northern Ireland as compared with the Republic of Ireland. A lot of that kind of detail, painstaking work and analysis was never done previously. It is being done for the first time and it is important that it continue.
I agree with Deputy Boyd Barrett on one issue. I do not underestimate for a second the enormous pressure our healthcare staff are under, and he will know my family background in that regard. Healthcare staff, nurses among them but also doctors, ambulance staff and others, have had an exhausting three years. There has been the exhaustion and stress of the pandemic, and now that we are in at least a post-restrictions period, there is a huge snapback in demand for healthcare. They have had no respite or break. A lot of people are burned out. That is not at all unique to this jurisdiction, as he said, or to this island; it is a feature of health services across the world.
We are acting on it. We have a pay deal in place with our healthcare workers. We have a new consultant contract on offer, which I think is a very good one and a very generous one financially. Crucially, it begins to end private practice in public hospitals, something the Deputy agrees with. We are increasing the number of beds, with almost 1,000 additional beds in our acute hospitals in the past three years, and we are recruiting, with more than 6,000 more doctors and nurses working in our public hospitals than was the case three years ago, notwithstanding the challenges with recruitment.
In respect of a citizens’ assembly on unification or Irish unity, as Deputies described it, I have an open mind on that but I am not convinced it is the right approach. I have seen citizens' assemblies work well in this jurisdiction, and while I was initially a sceptic of them, I have become a fan, and I think they have allowed us to bring forward reforms we not have brought forward so fast had it not been for the fact the citizens' assemblies showed us that when the public hear the arguments, they are often ahead of politicians. Doing it on this issue, however, would require a lot of thought and sensitivity. One simple question is whether it would involve 50 people from the Republic and 50 from Northern Ireland or whether it would be done on the basis there would be a 5:2 split. I do not know. Any citizens' assembly that did not have the active and meaningful participation of people from the Protestant, unionist and loyalist backgrounds would not be worth having. It would not be worth a penny candle, quite frankly, if people from those backgrounds were not willing to participate. If 16, 17 or 20 of them agreed to do so, would they face intimidation, potentially, for being involved in an assembly of that nature? They might. As we know, citizens' assemblies have a lot of votes. Would the rules allow them to be outvoted or would they have a veto? Until we have satisfactory answers to those kind of practical questions, I do not think it is an idea we could proceed with.
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www.oireachtas.ie
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Written Answers are published on the Oireachtas website.
Cuireadh an Dáil ar fionraí ar 1.51 p.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 2.54 p.m.
Sitting suspended at 1.51 p.m. and resumed at 2.54 p.m.