Ivana Bacik
Question:31. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with church leaders. [9678/23]
View answerTaoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Questions (31)
Written answers
The most recent formal meeting between the Office of the Taoiseach and church leaders took place on 15 April 2021 - when the now Tánaiste met with the leaders of the all island Christian Churches including the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church and the Irish Council of Churches.
I understand that discussions covered the ongoing contribution to peace building, and the work that Churches undertake on an ongoing basis at community level in Northern Ireland.
I recognise the importance of engagement and respect for all communities and traditions on these islands.
Like public representatives generally, I meet church leaders informally from time to time in the course of attending official or public events.
Departmental Offices
Questions (32)
Ivana Bacik
Question:32. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the parliamentary liaison unit. [9679/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Parliamentary Liaison Unit in the Department of the Taoiseach assists the 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 helps the Office of the Government Chief Whip in the implementation of the Government’s Legislation Programme.
The Unit also assists the Office of the Leader of the Green Party in work relating to Cabinet, Cabinet Committees and oversight of the Programme for Government.
The Parliamentary Liaison Unit provides detailed information on upcoming matters in the Dáil and Seanad; highlights any new Oireachtas reform issues; and provides assistance in establishing the new processes arising from Dáil reform.
The Unit is staffed by 1 Principal Officer, 1 Administrative Officer, 1 Higher Executive Officer, and there is currently 1 Clerical Officer vacancy.
Cross-Border Co-operation
Questions (33)
Ivana Bacik
Question:33. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the latest shared island dialogue initiatives. [9680/23]
View answerWritten answers
Inclusive dialogue with all communities and political traditions is central to the Government’s Shared Island approach as set out in the Programme for Government and will continue this year.
14 dialogues have been held to date, convened at Government level and engaging with more than 2,500 citizens and civic representatives, on how we can work for a shared future on the island in practical, meaningful ways.
The most recent dialogue was on 4 November, convened by Minister Helen McEntee TD, on tackling gender-based violence and abuse across the island. Alliance Party leader and former Northern Ireland Minister for Justice, Naomi Long MLA also participated, together with representatives of over 100 civic organisations from North and South. A report and recording of the dialogue was published on 16 February, available at www.gov.ie/sharedisland.
In January, the Shared Island unit surveyed participants in the dialogues to date seeking views on what has worked so far, what could be improved, and what issues are of interest for people across different communities to discuss on a shared island basis. Taking account of this feedback, new formats and themes will be introduced for Shared Island dialogue events through this year.
On 6 March, the unit is co-hosting an in-person and online launch event with the Economic and Social Research Institute for the publication of the latest ESRI Shared Island research report which examines migrant integration and experiences, North and South.