Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank members for their broad range of contributions. It would take a long time to reply to each in detail, but many were pertinent and I will answer as many as I can in a short space of time. A number of themes came through and several members mentioned similar issues of concern, for example, the Narrow Water Bridge project. Everyone present was enthusiastic for it. Unfortunately, EU funding for it has been withdrawn. Deputy Smith mentioned the various difficulties encountered in matching the funding. As a result, the focus now is on ensuring that the approximately €18 million that was forthcoming goes to other projects. It should not be lost even though this particular project is in abeyance. We will endeavour to put the project back on the agenda because it is a desirable one, as mentioned by a number of Deputies and Senator Moran, but the current deadlines have been missed and we can do nothing about that. It is the Government's intention to work with colleagues in the Executive to that end. The Tánaiste confirmed this at his meeting with the First and Deputy First Ministers on 10 January 2014. There will undoubtedly be disappointment on the Louth-Down border in particular, but also in other areas along the Border. Nevertheless, funding will continue to be available.

The Chairman, Deputy Smith and others mentioned the A5 project. Its funding continues. The Government and the Northern Ireland Executive have confirmed their commitment to the scheme and the Government has reaffirmed its funding commitment of €25 million per annum in 2015 and 2016. It is a question of moving ahead. There was a judicial decision in Northern Ireland regarding the A5 and environmental reviews must be completed before the project can proceed. In that regard, I was glad to note the recent statement of the Minister for Regional Development, Mr. Danny Kennedy, MLA, to the Northern Ireland Assembly that his Department was on schedule to commence public consultations in April. Since some of the obstacles have been overcome and the Republic is on a better financial footing, we would like to see that project moving ahead more rapidly. Opening up the gateway to the north west has been mentioned. The area of Donegal, Deputy Feighan's Roscommon and my native county of Sligo has cross-Border involvements with Fermanagh and so on and has a large Unionist population. It is important that it be opened up economically and politically. As such, I would like to see the A5 scheme continue.

Deputy Smith mentioned a bill of rights. It is a commitment under the Good Friday Agreement that has not been fulfilled. Everyone North and South would like to see progress being made. The Tánaiste has made the views of the Government clear to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and will continue raising the issue in his discussions with her and the First and Deputy First Ministers. I welcome the fact that the bill of rights is one of the issues to be addressed by a commission on identity, culture and tradition as outlined in the proposals that emerged from the recent political talks. There is widespread support from both sides of the community.

The Deputy also referred to an Irish language Act. One should be introduced in Northern Ireland. All parties to the Good Friday Agreement recognised the importance of respect, understanding and tolerance in respect of linguistic diversity. I welcome that the Irish language is one of the issues to be addressed by the commission on identity, culture and tradition. We are looking forward to seeing progress on that front.

This brings me to the recent Haass talks and how progress on them may be achieved, which every member referred to in one way or another. Intensive negotiations are still under way. Only yesterday, there was a meeting of the leaders of the political parties regarding the talks. They are anxious to make progress. There will be a further meeting next week, after which we will move on to the St. Patrick's Day events in Washington. Within this debate fall all of the relevant issues, for example, parades, flags and other legacy issues. This work is key to moving forward. Much progress has been made under the Haass talks and there is a great deal of agreement on a number of matters. This is the framework under which we hope progress can continue.

This work emanates from the Northern Ireland Executive in the first instance. Unlike the Good Friday Agreement, which was brokered by outside interests and bodies, the work following the talks will be brokered within the framework of Northern Ireland and the parties represented on its Executive. A satisfactory conclusion is important. Our Government and the Government of the United Kingdom are special interest actors in this respect, but we want the initiative to come from within Northern Ireland. We are hopeful that progress will be made.

We support the Haass proposals on a code of conduct, as mentioned by a number of members following Deputy Smith's raising of it initially. He stated that he only had a couple of items to raise, but he-----