Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2017
170. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the setting up of and operation of the proposed civic advisory panel, as mooted in the Fresh Start agreement; if he is satisfied that the remit of this panel is sufficient to address the issue of civic engagement set out in the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14487/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra172. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts that have been made by his Department to ensure that those engaged in political and community activism beyond those guaranteed representation under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement have their positions acknowledged and represented within Northern Ireland; his views on whether power-sharing in its current form inhibits groups such as these achieving political representation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14489/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 172 together.
The Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of a civic forum to act as a consultative mechanism on social, economic and cultural issues in Northern Ireland. A civic forum was set up in 2000 and met on a number of occasions but was suspended following the collapse of the political institutions in October 2002. Following the restoration of devolved government in 2007 a review of the Forum was announced by the new Executive but was not re-established.
In addressing outstanding commitments, the parties to the Stormont House Agreement in 2014 agreed that it was important that civic voices be heard and their views considered in relation to key social, cultural and economic issues. A new model was envisaged through the establishment of a compact civic advisory panel, to meet regularly and to advise the Northern Ireland Executive. In the Fresh Start Agreement of November 2015, the parties committed to the establishment of a compact civic advisory panel.
On 6 December 2016, the then First and deputy First Minister announced the formation of such a civic advisory panel. The 6-person panel will consider specific issues relevant to the Executive’s Programme for Government and engage with civic society stakeholders. Reporting to the Executive, the panel may also propose subjects it wishes to consider.
The establishment of the civic advisory panel by the Northern Ireland Executive is very welcome as it fulfils the commitment under the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements and, when fully operating, should allow for stronger representation of civil society voices in policy formation in Northern Ireland, as envisaged under the Good Friday Agreement.
In terms of other support to civic engagement and inter-community dialogue, my Department’s Reconciliation Fund provides funding to non-governmental organisations, community groups, and voluntary organisations to support reconciliation and to create better understanding between people and traditions on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain. The Reconciliation Fund has been running since 1982, and was increased significantly in 1998, following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. As part of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the Government committed to guaranteeing the continued allocation of €2.7 million annually to the Reconciliation Fund.
In the second round of 2016 funding, over €1m was announced in December 2016 for grants under the Reconciliation Fund to support 60 organisations working on peace and reconciliation.
In relation to inter-community dialogue, I would also note that the European Union Peace Programme have also, over a number of years, provided extensive financial support for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region. The current PEACE IV programme includes as a specific aim the improvement of cross-community relations and further integration of divided communities.
Finally, I would note that the Government’s All Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit provides a further important forum, ensuring civil society voices, North and South, are heard and taken account of in preparing for and dealing with the all-island implications of Brexit. There have so far been two plenary sessions of the Dialogue and fourteen sectorial events. The Civic Dialogue has provided valuable opportunities for Ministers to engage directly with stakeholders across the island of Ireland on the implications of the Brexit process for their sector. The Civic Dialogue will continue to inform the Government’s approach to managing Brexit, and the Government is considering the best way through which to continue these valuable discussions.
