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Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2018

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

Ceisteanna (87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

87. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he met Mrs. Arlene Foster when in Belfast recently; the issues that were discussed; and if there is progress on the impasse in reconvening the Northern Assembly. [26219/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

88. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he met Mrs. Michelle O'Neill when in Belfast recently; the issues that were discussed; and if there is progress on the impasse in reconvening the Northern Assembly. [26220/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

89. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the Orange Order headquarters while in Belfast and his meeting with senior members of the Order; and the issues that were discussed. [26221/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

90. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to a library (details supplied). [26222/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

91. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to a museum (details supplied). [26223/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

92. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the civic society groups he met while in Belfast recently; and the issues that were discussed. [26224/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

93. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to a club (details supplied). [26225/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

94. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the chief executives of the North-South implementation bodies; the issues that were discussed; and if actions will be taken following the meeting. [26226/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 to 94, inclusive, together.

I visited Northern Ireland on Thursday and Friday 7th and 8th of June.

I had a number of different engagements during my visit, which was part of my and the Government's continuing commitment to remain engaged with all parts of society in Northern Ireland, notwithstanding the absence of functioning political institutions there.

On Thursday 7th June, I met with a group called Civic Space, who are made up of representatives of civic unionism and others in Belfast. The meeting was a good opportunity for me to hear from a range of perspectives on key issues such as the political situation in Northern Ireland and Brexit.

On Friday 8th June, my first engagement was a private meeting with Baroness Eileen Paisley at the Bannside Library, which houses the personal collection of Dr. Ian Paisley. Later that morning I had another private meeting with Mr. Peadar Heffron and his wife Fiona. Mr. Heffron was a Catholic PSNI officer who was seriously injured in an attack by dissident republicans in 2010.

I also visited the Museum of Orange Heritage, where I was welcomed by Orange Order Grand Master, Edward Stevenson, and met with Orange Order representatives from across the island - including from Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan and Leitrim.

I received a warm welcome from the Orange Order in Schomberg House and also from local residents outside the Museum after my visit. I hope that my visit will be seen as a stepping stone to building relationships and a greater understanding between the Irish Government and the Orange Order into the future.

I also had a meeting with business and community leaders at Queens University, where I heard their views on the political situation in Northern Ireland and on Brexit.

In the afternoon, I spoke at the launch event for the 30th year of Féile an Phobail in St. Mary’s University College. Following my speech, I met some of the local guests and had a brief conversation with the Vice President of Sinn Féin, Michelle O'Neill, on the margins of the event.

On Friday evening, I had a very enjoyable visit to Down's oldest GAA club - Mayobridge. During the visit I met with the club chairperson and committee members and with many club members both young and old including distinguished former All Ireland winning players and the Down GAA County Chairman Mr. Sean Rooney. I was given a tour of the club grounds by Club Secretary Thomas O'Hare during which I met a number of the club's teams.

The final event of my program was a meeting with the CEOs of the Cross-Border bodies in the Canal Court Hotel in Newry, where we discussed current cross-border issues relevant to their work and the future development of the bodies.

I was very glad to have the opportunity during this visit to meet with a range of key groups from all sides of the community in Northern Ireland and to hear their concerns on a range of issues.

I did not meet with DUP Leader Mrs. Arlene Foster on this occasion. However, the Government remains in close contact with all the Northern Ireland political parties as part of ongoing efforts to assist the parties in Northern Ireland to re-establish the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.

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