25 Feabh 2014, 17:34
Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs Joe Costello TD is before the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement tomorrow to consider the Review of Foreign Policy and External relations.
25 February 2014
The Review, which is being undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, sets out to ensure Ireland gains maximum benefit from the resources it commits to international engagement in a rapidly-changing world. The discussion with Minister Costello will focus on any areas in which the Department might optimise its engagement in Northern Ireland.
Committee Chairman Joe McHugh TD says: “The Foreign Affairs Policy Review, launched by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore TD in October, is a significant initiative to optimise Ireland’s foreign policy in a constantly changing landscape. Undoubtedly, securing peace and fostering reconciliation on this island will remain integral to the work of his Department in the years to come.
“The Department works extensively with the Northern Ireland Executive and with the British Government in building on the achievements of the Good Friday and St Andrew’s Agreements. It also manages a Reconciliation Fund, which supports community groups and voluntary organisations at the vanguard of cross-community peace and reconciliation initiatives. The Committee looks forward to engaging with Minister Costello on where scope exists to build on this valuable work into the future.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow Wednesday 26 February at 10:30 am in Committee Room 3, LH 2000 and can be viewed online here.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee:
Deputies: Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Peter M Fitzpatrick, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Michael P Kitt, Joe McHugh (Chair), Joe O’Reilly (Vice-Chair), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Brendan Smith, Joanna Tuffy and Jack Wall
Senators: Maurice Cummins (Leader of the House), Jim D’Arcy, Mary Moran and Mary White