10. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on any recent discussions with Prime Minister Starmer. [1681/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

11. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the 42nd British-Irish Council in Edinburgh in December 2024. [1682/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. I sincerely hope that in any discussions with the British Government, Prime Minister or members of the British Government, regardless of the agenda, that the British Government’s despicable and deplorable legacy legislation is discussed. Many times in this House and within meetings of parliamentary parties and Oireachtas committees, we have unanimously called for the repeal of that legislation. No amendment by the British Government of that legislation will ever make it acceptable to the victims and the families of victims who have suffered so much for many decades now. I also sincerely hope that the Taoiseach raised the ongoing issue of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974. I think on four occasions this House made unanimous calls on the British Government to give access to an independent international legal person to all papers and files pertaining to those tragedies on that day both in my own constituency and in Dublin city. As the Taoiseach knows, I have always referred to other atrocities in my own constituency, and particularly the Belturbet bombing of December 1972 when young, innocent teenagers were killed. In all of the discussions with the British Government, whether with us at parliamentary level or at Government level, and at Head of Government level in particular, the need to address legacy and reconciliation must be to the forefront in all discussions. I would like an assurance that those issues were raised in all discussions with the British Government, the British Prime Minister and other members of that Government as well.

Sentiment score: 0.15

20. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the plans in place to increase staffing levels in the shared island unit within his Department. [1683/25]

Sentiment score: 0.19

I welcome the additional substantial funding being provided for the shared island unit. There is a particular need in the less developed areas of the central border region, including my counties of Cavan and Monaghan, as well as counties Tyrone, Fermanagh and Armagh, as they do not have the critical mass of a major population. The programme for Government refers to developing the full potential of the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor. I think that will develop itself. We need to prioritise resources for the less-developed areas and I sincerely hope we will do so. The programme for Government also refers to mandating each Government Department to come forward with projects. That is worthwhile, but I am glad the potential and role of local authorities is also recognised in that document. I recall very well that prior to the Good Friday Agreement and the political atmosphere and environment we have today, local authorities were doing work on a cross-Border basis, to their credit. There is great corporate knowledge within local authorities, and worthwhile projects. I am particularly anxious that a proposal I put forward some time ago relating to development of enterprise units - local innovation centres - on a cross-Border, all-Ireland basis, particularly for the Border region, should be prioritised.

Sentiment score: 0.43