Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman and apologise for missing the earlier part of the presentation. It is great that the witnesses have an opportunity to make a presentation before the joint committee and to identify the areas that clearly need addressing. It is part of the regular checking of the Good Friday Agreement to ascertain what progress has been made, particularly with regard to the more sensitive areas pertaining to it.

While I will not enter a long dissertation, I refer to one area, having regard to the various funds that are available, whether it is under PEACE II, PEACE III or PEACE IV, namely, the retraining, upskilling, reskilling or personal development of individuals. What progress has been made in that general area? It appears to me that developments in the area of reintegration or greater participation in community activity, both economic and social, would be critical because quite clearly, in the event of significant educational upskilling, the potential to participate in a real, positive and meaningful way is fairly obvious. I wish to hear what sort of progress has been made in this regard in general terms.