6. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent European Council. [27215/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

I thank the Taoiseach for the report. I note that in the conclusion of the European Council meeting in March competitiveness featured largely. I would like to hear more about what discussions were had about keeping the Commission honest in terms of following the simplification agenda. We know from the Draghi and Letta reports that there is a need for an impetus towards the simplification agenda that is not just the deferral of regulation but involves looking at how we ease the burden on businesses in the EU to allow them to not only compete with counterparts in the US but those in Asia and to make sure Europe is at the forefront of the technological innovations that are coming down the track. In addition and related to that is a need for a co-ordinated approach to a European research and lifelong learning agenda. What steps are we taking to ensure that Irish universities can be centres of excellence and that across the piece, we encourage European universities to be at the forefront of innovation, skills development and lifelong learning we need? Could the Taoiseach provide me with an update on the free trade agreement negotiations between the EU and India?

Sentiment score: 0.47

22. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work being carried out by the shared island unit with sport's governing bodies in promoting its objectives through grassroots engagement. [22408/25]

Sentiment score: 0.26

Without doubt the shared island initiative is one of the signature achievements in taking forward the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement and ensuring there is reconciliation and also that we see this shared island as our common home place. I am struck also by the Taoiseach's mention that sports governing bodies have been engaged by applying to the various funds for activation across the island. I wonder whether he could say more about how his Department and the Department of foreign affairs are pro-actively engaging with the sports governing bodies to see what initiatives are working well for them in terms of achieving the objectives set out by the shared island fund. I met representatives of Basketball Ireland recently. They told me about a number of initiatives they are seeking to explore in Northern Ireland. As we know, the vast majority of governing bodies on the island operate on an all-island basis. There is potential here for us to encourage that integration and the objectives of the shared island initiative by pro-actively engaging with the likes of Basketball Ireland, Cricket Ireland, the IRFU, the GAA and so on. I would love to hear the Taoiseach's thoughts on that matter.

Sentiment score: 0.41