Written Answers Nos. 1-7
1. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if the papers and documentation generated by a person (details supplied) in their inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings will be handed over to Operation Kenova; and if not, the reason. [45184/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not received a request for assistance from Operation Kenova. We are prepared to be of assistance to Operation Kenova with its enquiries as far as possible, within the confines of the law. Any such request for assistance would be given full and careful consideration.
We are committed to working with the UK Government and the political parties in Northern Ireland to address the painful legacy of the Troubles. It is the Government’s firm position that legacy issues must be addressed through the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement framework, in order to support wider societal reconciliation, build greater community confidence in policing and meet the legitimate needs of victims and survivors in Northern Ireland and across the island of Ireland.
2. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach if his Department or State agencies under the aegis of his Department have awarded contracts to a company (details supplied); if so, the value of such contracts; and if the contracts were tendered for. [44794/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeither the Department of the Taoiseach nor the body under its aegis have awarded any contracts to the company in question.
3. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the expected timeline for the publication of the preliminary results of Census 2022; and the expected timelines for the publication of the final results of Census 2022. [1038/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office expects to release the preliminary results from Census 2022 by the end of July 2022, with the publication of the official results to commence in the second quarter of 2023.
4. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if the opposition were consulted in advance of the most recent extension of the commission of investigation with respect to NAMA; and if he will commit to consulting the opposition in advance of the March 2021 deadline. [1149/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NAMA Commission of Investigation was established by the Government in June 2017 following consultations with Opposition representatives and resolutions made by the Dáil and Seanad.
The Commission is fully independent in its investigations and its Sole Member is Judge John D. Cooke.
The Commission was initially expected to report on the sale by NAMA of its Northern Ireland portfolio, known as Project Eagle, by the end of June 2018. However, the time-frame for the Commission to report on the Project Eagle Investigation has been extended on several occasions following requests from the Commission in its Interim Reports.
In the Commission’s Ninth Interim Report which was submitted in November 2020, it requested a further extension as “it would be prudent to allow for a further three-month period to bring its work to a conclusion.” The rationale provided in the Interim report included the impact of Covid-19 public health restrictions on the Commission’s work and that “one individual, who had previously declined, agreed to provide evidence to assist the investigation”.
In light of this rationale, and the limited extension of three months requested, and consistent with my functions as specified Minister under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, I didn’t believe there was a strong argument against extending the timeframe as sought by the Commission. Given these circumstances, and the ongoing pressures of business arising from Covid-19, I didn’t deem it necessary to consult further with Oireachtas members on this occasion. As with all of the Commission’s Interim Reports, a copy has been laid before the Oireachtas and is also available at www.gov.ie. The possibility of consulting with Oireachtas representatives on any future such requests by the Commission will be considered in light of the circumstances in which they arise.
5. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to correspondence sent to him by a person (details supplied); if he has reviewed the documents contained; and if he has consulted with colleagues in the Department of Justice in respect of same. [1220/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is in contact with the company that forwarded the correspondence.
6. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach the number of staff in his Department who have been assigned to the new shared island unit. [1293/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Shared Island unit in my Department is led by an Assistant Secretary with four full-time staff appointed at present. Staffing resources for the unit are kept under ongoing review.
The unit supports implementation of the Government’s commitment to work with all communities and traditions on the island to build consensus around a shared future underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.
Operationally, the unit is focusing its work in three areas: commissioning research, fostering dialogue, and building a Shared Island agenda, including delivery of the commitments in the Programme for Government.
Strengthening social, economic and political links on the island and the promotion of all-island approaches to the strategic challenges facing Ireland, North and South are key objectives for this work.
The unit works in close cooperation with other Government Departments and engages on an inclusive basis with civil society, North and South on the island.
7. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach the status of the national economic plan; the expected timeline for publication. [1646/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of the National Economic Plan is well advanced, however, finalisation has been deferred given the short-term focus on economic supports for businesses and workers affected by the reintroduction of public health restrictions due to Covid-19.
The Plan is intended to be a high-level framework setting out the Government’s priorities and policy objectives for a sustainable and inclusive recovery. Drawing on the Programme for Government it will signal pathways and associated deliverables beyond the crisis given accelerating changes in the global and domestic landscape.
The Plan will be built on five broad pillars: sustainable public finances, strategic investment, making enterprises and sectors more resilient, building an inclusive and regionally balanced recovery, and future proofing our environment and economy.
