29. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on any recent engagement with political leaders in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4361/25]

Sentiment score: 0.16

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. I dtosach, is mian liom gach rath a ghuí ar an Tánaiste agus é ag toiseacht amach mar Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha. I look forward to working with the Tánaiste and to many engagements in the House. My question is on the Tánaiste's recent engagement with political leaders in Northern Ireland. I note his optimism about the first meetings of the new North-South Ministerial Council. A particular issue I would love for the Tánaiste to make sure is on the agenda for the North-South Ministerial Council is the need to finalise the funding arrangements for Foras na Gaeilge. The Tánaiste will be aware that there is some dispute about them at Executive level in Northern Ireland. In the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, the all-island bodies should be enacted and protected. In particular, Foras na Gaeilge's funding should be protected and its approach to the Irish language should be an all-island one. I welcome any interventions the Tánaiste and his Government colleagues can make on this matter to ensure we get a resolution to it.

Sentiment score: 0.35

I thank the Tánaiste for that reply. I am very encouraged by the commitment he has made to follow up on the funding for Foras na Gaeilge and indeed all the all-island bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement. I am particularly optimistic now that we have the restoration of the institutions in Northern Ireland that we will see the full mechanisms of the Good Friday Agreement, and subsequent agreements, come into their own. This is necessary in realising the many challenges we face between Britain and Ireland but also with respect to the issues the Tánaiste rightly raised, including the legacy issues that need to be dealt with and the truth and justice that is necessary for survivors of the Troubles. I am particularly enthused by the strong focus on the shared island initiative as part of the programme for Government. That pursues a very practical approach to co-operation, as we saw in the co-operation that followed Storm Éowyn as well. I look forward to further updates from the Tánaiste on this and thank him for his answer.

Sentiment score: 0.63

I thank the Tánaiste. I re-emphasise the very practical examples he has shown from the shared island unit. These initiatives will set the foundations that were originally envisaged by the Good Friday Agreement all those years ago. I am particularly encouraged by the strong approach the Government is taking with regard to victims and legacy issues and ensuring that those things are compliant with international law. As the Tánaiste has said, it is most important for these initiatives to bring victims' families with them so they actually address the hurt and division caused by the Troubles. I look forward to further updates.

Sentiment score: 0.23