Wednesday, 13 Jul 2022

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (21)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

21. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the annual report of his Department for 2021 will be published. [25803/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department's Annual Report for 2021, will be finalised and published in the coming weeks and will set out the work of my Department in 2021 to deliver under the strategic priorities set out in the Department’s three year Statement of Strategy. Following its submission to Government, my Department's Annual Report will be published and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. It will also be published on the gov.ie website.

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (22)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

22. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the annual report of his Department for 2021 will be published. [32670/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department's Annual Report for 2021, will be finalised and published in the coming weeks and will set out the work of my Department in 2021 to deliver under the strategic priorities set out in the Department’s three year Statement of Strategy. Following its submission to Government, my Department's Annual Report will be published and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. It will also be published on the gov.ie website.

Question No. 23 resubmitted.

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (24)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

24. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the annual report of his Department for 2021 will be published. [36008/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department's Annual Report for 2021, will be finalised and published in the coming weeks and will set out the work of my Department in 2021 to deliver under the strategic priorities set out in the Department’s three year Statement of Strategy. Following its submission to Government, my Department's Annual Report will be published and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. It will also be published on the gov.ie website.

Questions Nos. 25 and 26 resubmitted.

Departmental Functions

Ceisteanna (27)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

27. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the parliamentary liaison unit within his Department. [32077/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The Parliamentary Liaison Unit in my Department assists Government in its relationship with the Oireachtas. It works with the Office of the Government Chief Whip on issues that arise at the Business Committee and the Committee on Dáil Reform and Standing Orders, including Dáil reform proposals and amendments to Standing Orders.

The Unit supports the Office of the Government Chief Whip in the implementation of the Government’s Legislation Programme.

In addition, the Unit assists the Office of the Leader of the Green Party in work relating to Cabinet, Cabinet Committees and oversight of the implementation of the Programme for Government.

In carrying out these duties, it provides detailed information on upcoming matters in the Dáil and Seanad; highlights any new Oireachtas reform issues and provides assistance in engaging with the new processes arising from Dáil reform.

The Unit is staffed by 3.5 whole time equivalent staff; 1 Principal Officer, 1 Administrative Officer, 0.5 Higher Executive Officer and 1 Clerical Officer.

Questions Nos. 28 and 29 resubmitted.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ceisteanna (30)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

30. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to Lebanon. [29335/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I travelled to Lebanon on 28 and 29 May to visit members of the Defence Forces deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, and to mark the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. I also met with Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNIFIL, Major General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, and with community leaders in Tibnine, where I took part in a memorial ceremony, laying a wreath in memory of the 47 members of the Defence Forces who lost their lives serving in Lebanon.

I visited the principal Irish base at UN Position 2-45, where I met with Peacekeepers, observed their work first hand, and learned about the situation in Lebanon more widely. I also observed the work of UNIFIL at the Blue Line.

During my visit, I had short meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon, Saadeh Al Shami, and the Minister for Tourism, Walid Nassar.

Question No. 31 resubmitted.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ceisteanna (32, 34)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

32. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit and address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. [30838/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

34. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit and address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. [32441/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Taoiseach (Deputy Micheál Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 34 together.

I visited Strasbourg on the 7-8 June. I met with representatives of the Council of Europe to mark Ireland’s six-month Presidency of the body, and paid a visit to the European Court of Human Rights.

At the European Parliament, I unveiled a bust to honour the life and career of the late John Hume.

I had the honour to address the plenary session of the European Parliament on Wednesday 8 June, reflecting on the fifty years since Ireland voted to join what is now the European Union.

I had a welcome opportunity to thank President Metsola in person for the European Parliament’s support and solidarity throughout the Brexit process.

I availed of my visit to discuss EU/UK developments and the Protocol with European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič and David McAllister MEP, Chair of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee.

I also met with Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, and reaffirmed Ireland’s solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 32.

Question No. 33 resubmitted.

Cabinet Committees

Ceisteanna (35)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

35. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Cabinet committee on Covid-19. [30781/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Taoiseach (Deputy Micheál Martin)

The Cabinet Committee on COVID-19 was established to assess the social and economic impacts of Covid and oversee the cross-government response.

The Cabinet Committee last met on 28th February. However, Covid continues to be considered at the Cabinet Committee on Health and I meet with the Minister for Health on an ongoing basis to discuss Health matters including Covid.

Over recent months the national response to the Covid pandemic has been shifting focus from an emergency approach to one which is appropriately mainstreamed and targeted at mitigating severe impacts of Covid on the population.

We will continue to closely monitor emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and assess any potential threat to population health.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ceisteanna (36, 37)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

36. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the UK Labour Party leader. [32443/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

37. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the leader of the British Labour Party. [35867/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Taoiseach (Deputy Micheál Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 37 together.

I met with the UK Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer MP in Government Buildings on the 9th of July. He was accompanied by Peter Kyle MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

We discussed political developments in Northern Ireland and I outlined the Government’s grave concerns about the British Government’s unilateral approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol and legacy.

We also had a discussion on the need for a return to a spirit of partnership under the Good Friday Agreement and the serious damage which unilateralism is causing to relationships across these islands.

I also updated Mr Starmer on the work of the Shared Island Initiative.

Question No. 37 answered with Question No. 36.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (38)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

38. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of all State apologies that he has issued since he assumed office. [25804/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Taoiseach (Deputy Micheál Martin)

Since taking office I have issued one formal apology in the Dáil, on behalf of the State, for the hurt experienced by many former residents of Mother and Baby Institutions and County Homes. I apologised for the profound generational wrong visited upon Irish mothers and their children who ended up in a Mother and Baby Home or a County Home and for the shame and stigma which they were subjected to.

As part of that apology I acknowledged that the State had failed in its duty of care to the mothers and children who spent time in these institutions.

This apology was one of the first steps taken by Government to respond to the findings of the report. The overall response is being driven by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth who is now working to advance the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby Homes and County Home Institutions. The Action Plan commits to a suite of 22 Actions across eight key themes:

- A survivor-centred approach

- A formal State Apology

- Access to Personal Information

- Archiving and Databases

- Education and Research

- Memorialisation

- Restorative Recognition

- Dignified Burial

Since publication of the Plan, two quarterly progress updates have been published - at end February and end May.

The focus has been on advancing three substantial pieces of legislation - the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022, the Institutional Burials Bill 2022 and the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill.

Government has also approved proposals for the development of a National Centre for Research and Remembrance. This Centre will stand as a memorial to all those who spent time in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions, Industrial Schools and Magdalen Laundries.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (39)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

39. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of all State apologies that he has issued since he assumed office. [35868/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Taoiseach (Deputy Micheál Martin)

Since taking office I have issued one formal apology in the Dáil, on behalf of the State, for the hurt experienced by many former residents of Mother and Baby Institutions and County Homes. I apologised for the profound generational wrong visited upon Irish mothers and their children who ended up in a Mother and Baby Home or a County Home and for the shame and stigma which they were subjected to.

As part of that apology I acknowledged that the State had failed in its duty of care to the mothers and children who spent time in these institutions.

This apology was one of the first steps taken by Government to respond to the findings of the report. The overall response is being driven by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth who is now working to advance the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby Homes and County Home Institutions.

The Action Plan commits to a suite of 22 Actions across eight key themes:

- A survivor-centred approach

- A formal State Apology

- Access to Personal Information

- Archiving and Databases

- Education and Research

- Memorialisation

- Restorative Recognition

- Dignified Burial

Since publication of the Plan, two quarterly progress updates have been published - at end February and end May.

The focus has been on advancing three substantial pieces of legislation - the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022, the Institutional Burials Bill 2022 and the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill.

Government has also approved proposals for the development of a National Centre for Research and Remembrance. This Centre will stand as a memorial to all those who spent time in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions, Industrial Schools and Magdalen Laundries.

Departmental Functions

Ceisteanna (40)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

40. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the North-East Inner City Oversight Group chaired by the Secretary General of his Department. [25805/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Taoiseach (Deputy Micheál Martin)

The NEIC Initiative Programme Implementation Board, chaired by an independent Chairperson, meets on a monthly basis to oversee and progress the implementation of the Mulvey Report and the NEIC Strategic Plan 2020 - 2022.

Members of the Board include representatives from relevant Government Departments and Agencies, business and the local community.

The Chair of the Board reports to an Oversight Group, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, and whose membership is comprised of senior civil servants across Government Departments and Agencies who are actively engaged with the work of the North East Inner City Initiative.

This group ensures strong and active participation by all relevant Government Departments and Agencies and deals with any barriers or issues highlighted by the Board.

The Oversight Group does not meet to a set schedule. Instead, it is convened at the request of the Secretary General of my Department on an ad-hoc basis to discuss and resolve challenges that arise through the work of the NEIC Programme Implementation Board.

It last met via video conference on 3 June 2021 where discussions included the work being progressed by the NEIC Programme Implementation Board under the areas of Policing; Educational, Training and Employment Opportunities; Family Wellbeing; Community Wellbeing and the Physical Environment; Substance Use, Misuse and Inclusion Health; and Alignment of Services.

The Group is next scheduled to meet on 15 July under the Chair of the new Secretary General in my Department.

Taoiseach's Communications

Ceisteanna (41, 42)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

41. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent phone conversation with the President of the European Union Council. [33645/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

42. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent phone conversation with the President of the European Union Commission. [33646/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Taoiseach (Deputy Micheál Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 42 together.

I most recently met with President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at a Euro/Atlantic dinner, hosted by PM Sanchez, in Madrid on 29 June. I also saw them at the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 23/24 June.

On these occasions our conversations covered a broad range of issues including Ukraine, security in Europe, economic issues and enlargement.

I also spoke with President Michel and President von der Leyen and on Thursday 16 June following publication of UK draft legislation which would, if enacted, dis-apply aspects of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

We are in full agreement that the EU cannot accept unilateral action that breaks an international agreement and that only jointly agreed solution will bring real stability and opportunities for people and businesses in Northern Ireland.

Question No. 42 answered with Question No. 41.

Northern Ireland

Ceisteanna (43, 45)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

43. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his participation in the Shared Island Dialogue on Identity. [35589/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

45. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the latest dialogue of the Shared Island unit. [35732/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Taoiseach (Deputy Micheál Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 45 together.

The Shared Island Dialogue series is a key part of the Government’s approach to engaging with all communities and political traditions on the island, to build consensus around a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.

Through the Dialogue series, the Government is listening to people’s views on a range of common concerns, and how we can work for a shared future, in practical, meaningful ways.

We are seeking as broad a range of experience as possible, and ensuring the inclusion of underrepresented voices, particularly of women, young people and ethnic minority communities on the island.

The Dialogue series will continue through this year with Dialogues now being convened on an in-person and regional basis, focussing both on sectoral issues and wider societal concerns for the whole island.

In May the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, addressed over 200 people at a Dialogue on ‘enabling rural and community development on a shared island’, which took place in-person in Monaghan and online. Rural and community groups, business organisations, social enterprise coordinators and Government agencies North and South came together to discuss linkages and cooperation in rural and community development, such as the role of social enterprises in rural communities, and the potential for rural hubs to support economic development and employability in rural areas North and South.

In June I addressed (via video message) a Shared Island Dialogue held in Derry with a focus on ‘identities on a shared island – new generation views’, which involved more than 150 young people engaging both in-person and online in discussion of issues including cultural identity, race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender and ability on a shared island.

Young people from all communities, regions, identities and backgrounds, North and South, shared their views on “Cultural identities on a shared island - can we move from acceptance to celebration?”, addressing the challenges facing cultural diversity on the island, on the role that politics plays in how cultural diversity is considered, and exploring what a celebration of cultural diversity on a shared island requires. They also discussed the theme of “Personal identities - better representing diverse identities on the island of Ireland”, considering how aspects of personal identity - including race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, ability, socio-economic background etc. - are accommodated in society, North and South, and the dynamics for civil society in engaging for positive change.

Further Dialogues are planned for the second half of the year including on culture and on gender-based violence.

Northern Ireland

Ceisteanna (44)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

44. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on his Department's Shared Island Dialogue series. [35912/22]