Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I share the Deputy's view that infrastructural improvements and developments are vital in the context of peace, stability and prosperity. The A5 dual carriageway is seen as a key infrastructural project and it was very much under discussion in the context of the agreement.

I was pleased the Government reaffirmed our commitment of funding to the tune of £50 million in financial support towards the project. That will benefit the north west but also the island as a whole. We committed under the agreement to examine opportunities for further funding within the context of the forthcoming capital expenditure programme. There is also the matter of EU funding and support.

I acknowledge the very positive role of the European Union in supporting North-South co-operation and reconciliation across a range of issues. The PEACE and INTERREG cross-Border programme will provide funding of more than €500 million to Northern Ireland and the Border counties up to 2020. It was agreed at the North-South Ministerial Council plenary in October that Ministers on both sides of the Border would pursue further opportunities and examine how best they might maximise the drawdown of EU funding across a range of issues. Health is another issue with which Deputy Kitt is familiar. I refer to the North-South agreement on the provision of children's cardiac surgery on an all-island basis at Crumlin hospital. Agreement has also been reached on the new radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin hospital.

In terms of the Narrow Water Bridge, Senator Jim D'Arcy will be aware of issues that come under the remit of Louth County Council. I note the committee's involvement. I assure members that the issues under discussion are very much on the Government's agenda. The Taoiseach visited the North last week and had an opportunity to meet a number of groups. He had a very successful engagement at a Confederation of British Industry, CBI, dinner where he outlined the progress achieved and sought further opportunities in terms of ongoing economic co-operation and ultimately the provision of jobs for people in particular in the north-west Border counties that have had higher than average levels of unemployment.

On the specific reference Deputy Kitt made to the Irish language Act, members will be aware that the provision of an Irish language Act was included in a paper tabled by the Government in the course of the Stormont House talks. I admit a level of disappointment that the commitment did not form part of the final agreement. However, there was an explicit endorsement in the agreement by the British Government on the principle of the recognition of the Irish language and of respect for the language in Northern Ireland. I believe we can develop those matters further in the context of further engagement.