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Gnáthamharc

Programmes for Government.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 March 2004

Tuesday, 9 March 2004

Ceisteanna (77)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

147 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress to date in implementing the actions outlined in An Agreed Programme for Government in building peace and justice which apply to his Department. [7675/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Two actions for peace and justice outlined in the An Agreed Programme for Government apply to my Department. These actions relate to the consolidation of the success of the North/South Ministerial Council and the North/South implementation bodies, and to the development of strong bilateral relations with Scotland and Wales as well as the UK as a whole.

My Department continues to work with the relevant parties, North and South, to consolidate the successful operation of two North/South implementation bodies, An Foras Teanga (comprising Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulstér-Scotch/The Ulster Scots Agency) and Waterways Ireland. Continued implementation of the PEACE II and INTERREG Ireland/Northern Ireland programme also supports the peace and justice objectives contained in the An Agreed Programme for Government.

The British-Irish Council is providing a valuable forum for consultation, discussion and the exchange of information among its members. Ireland is the lead administration within the British-Irish Council on the issue of drug misuse. In this context, the Taoiseach has hosted a summit meeting on the issue and Ministers with responsibility in this area within the British-Irish Council have met on two occasions to agree work programmes, which continue. In this regard, a number of meetings, conferences and seminars have taken place with colleagues from other British-Irish Council members including Scotland and Wales.

This Department is also co-operating, within the British-Irish Council framework with Wales, which is the lead administration on the advancement of a programme to promote indigenous and lesser-used languages.

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