1. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [14725/25]
Sentiment score: 0.00
I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. NESC is doing comprehensive studies in very important areas. I want to again mention an issue that I flagged with the Taoiseach's predecessor, and with the Taoiseach when he held the office previously. Will NESC carry out an assessment of the all-Ireland economy, particularly in the context of cross-Border trade, where there has been development and growth to the benefit of all of our country? Representing two of the southern Ulster counties, I see at first hand the value and importance of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and what it has done from so many points of view, including the economic. We have one economy now, the all-Ireland economy. However, the central Border region of Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh is vulnerable because it is highly dependent on a small number of particular sectors, such as food, farming, construction products and tourism. We saw the threat that existed with Brexit. We now see the challenges that may arise in the context of tariffs being imposed on the European Union, maybe at a different rate from those that will be imposed on Britain. While we all sincerely hope that does not happen, we have to be prepared for it. I have asked repeatedly, through the Office of the Taoiseach and in various parliamentary questions, if NESC would undertake a study on the challenges facing the central Border region, North and South, and also the opportunities for further economic development. I have been a representative there for some time. I saw the challenges with currency fluctuations and the movement of trade that devastated our local economy over many years. We should be prepared for turbulence in the economy that may arise but that nobody can readily predict. It is one area where we need to do more research and be prepared.
Sentiment score: 0.18
20. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Northern Ireland will meet next. [18745/25]
Sentiment score: 0.00
I again raise the issue of the need for the British Government to repeal and replace the legacy legislation. This deplorable legislation gives murderers and terrorists the opportunity to absolve themselves of the most heinous of crimes regardless of whether they worked for British state forces or for paramilitary organisations. We need to see progress in replacing that legislation. We are days away from the 51st anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, an awful day when 34 people were killed on our island. We have seen a lack of co-operation from the British Government in responding to requests unanimously made by this Oireachtas on a number of occasions to give an eminent independent international legal person access to all papers and files pertaining to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. We need progress on that. We very much welcome the great progress that is being made with the shared island initiative and the very substantial level of investment. A few weeks ago, while attending the Cork-Cavan national league game, the Taoiseach will have seen the very fine facilities we have in Kingspan Breffni Park. He will also be aware of the plans we have for a regional sports complex. In that context, we should have a stream in respect of sports funding on an all-Ireland basis through the shared island fund. This could allow for sister complexes, North and South.
Sentiment score: 0.12