Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:39. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the vision for the Shared Island Dialogue following the Assembly elections in Northern Ireland. [22990/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraNorthern Ireland
Ceisteanna (39)
Freagraí scríofa
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.
In our approach, the Government is taking full account of the political complexity and challenges in Northern Ireland, and is working to listen to and engage with all communities and their concerns. We are working to foster civic dialogue that is constructive, inclusive and focused on issues of shared concern for people, across all traditions and communities, while also recognising challenges and different views.
We are seeking as broad a range of experience as possible, and ensuring the inclusion of under-represented voices, particularly of women, young people and ethnic minority communities on the island.
The Shared Island Dialogue series will continue through this year. Dialogues are now being convened on an in-person and regional basis, focussing both on sectoral issues and wider societal concerns for the whole island.
The next Dialogue will be convened by Minister Heather Humphreys on the theme ‘enabling rural and community development on a shared island’, on 20 May in Monaghan.
The Shared Island initiative is also leading to valuable civil society-led projects, including the All-Island Women’s Forum, and an ‘i-Community Shared Practice hub’ project being rolled out by The Wheel and the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action.
Questions Nos. 40 to 50, inclusive, resubmitted.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (51)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:51. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if a person from his Department is currently seconded to the university or third-level education sector. [22903/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
No staff of my Department are currently seconded to the university or third-level sector.
Departmental Investigations
Ceisteanna (52)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:52. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the number of internal investigations ongoing in his Department into instances in which documents were leaked to the media. [22904/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are currently two such investigations ongoing.
Northern Ireland
Ceisteanna (53)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:53. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the leaders of the parties in Northern Ireland following the Stormont elections. [22930/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I had phone calls with the leaders of the main parties in Northern Ireland last week and I also met with Michelle O’Neill earlier this week. I will travel to Belfast on Friday for further meetings with party leaders.
In the calls, I emphasised the importance of early formation of the Northern Ireland Executive and a functioning Assembly. The people of Northern Ireland want their elected representatives to address the pressing issues facing them including the cost of living and healthcare waiting lists.
The onus now is on the leaders of the political parties to work together in the time ahead to agree a basis for forming a new Executive to serve the interests of all the people of Northern Ireland.
As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government will continue to work with the political parties in Northern Ireland and with the British Government to support the formation of the Executive and the operation of all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.
Questions Nos. 54 to 68, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 69 to 80, inclusive, answered orally.