Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
451. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to implement the commitments made in the New Decade, New Approach agreement in Northern of Ireland and the commitments made by Ireland in relation to building and funding the A5 road and the expansion of the Magee campus in Derry. [15383/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 9 January 2020, the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I published the proposed New Decade, New Approach agreement, which was the basis for the political parties in Northern Ireland to resume operating the power-sharing Executive and Assembly.
The Irish and British Governments, at the same time, each announced a series of financial and other commitments in support of the resumption of the power-sharing institutions at Stormont and the work of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). These commitments are annexed to the proposed agreement, but do not form part of it.
The Irish Government’s commitments under New Decade, New Approach include working through the NSMC to help deliver infrastructure that will benefit people across the island, to achieve greater connectivity, North and South, and investing in the North West region and in Border Communities, including a total of £75 million up to 2022 for the A5 road project.
There is also a commitment in principle to contributing to capital investment to support expanded provision at Ulster University Magee Campus, alongside the commitment made in the context of this agreement by the British Government.
I and my Government colleagues are looking forward to meetings of the North South Ministerial Council resuming as soon as possible, with a full plenary meeting of the Council followed by the regular pattern of Ministerial meetings across the NSMC’s twelve sectors of cooperation.
These Ministerial meetings will provide opportunities to discuss and to work together with Northern Ireland Executive colleagues on advancing the implementation of the commitments made by the Government in the context of the New Decade, New Approach agreement, as well as other areas of practical co-operation that are to our mutual benefit.
The Government is committed to playing its full part in the delivery of these projects. The funding requirement in the years ahead will depend on the timing and details for projects being agreed on a North/South basis, and will need to take account of necessary discussions with the Executive through the North South Ministerial Council, the progress of implementation of each project, and, where relevant, our engagement with the British Government.
The Government has recognised that the North West region is in particular need of strategic investment. In this regard, the North West Strategic Growth Partnership, established in 2016 through the North South Ministerial Council, brings together senior Government officials from Government Departments North and South and other stakeholders to engage with Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council to deliver on strategic priorities aimed at bringing real and positive change for the region.
The Government remains committed to continuing to support the work of the North West Strategic Growth Partnership and in the context of New Decade, New Approach is committed in principle to providing further funding of up to €2.5m to the North West Development Fund in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Executive.
The North West Strategic Growth Partnership will also provide an important forum through which discussions with relevant regional stakeholders can be advanced.
The Government welcomes the development of plans for ambitious new higher education provision at the Magee Campus to Derry, including in the context of the British Government’s City Deal and Inclusive Future Fund initiative which is being advanced by Derry City and Strabane District Council. This investment can support more access to third-level education for young people on a cross-border basis, enable further cooperation between third-level institutions in the North West including in research and innovation, and underpin broader economic development and opportunities in the region.
