Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Taoiseach, Aingeal agus Eoghan. Tá fáilte rompu. Tréaslaím le hobair dhearfach an aonaid um oileán comhroinnte agus guím gach rath air ag dul ar aghaidh. Leag an Taoiseach amach go hiontach cuimsitheach an réimse oibre atá ar bun ag an aonad sin ar fud an oileáin agus is rud maith é sin.

The Taoiseach knows one of the key components in positively sharing this island is our ability to move freely throughout the entirety of the island. He referenced heavily in his contribution the experience of young people. It is the exclusive and positive experience of an entire generation of young people as it should be; they can move freely across all the country without being hindered or obstructed. The Taoiseach knows with the recent passage of the United Kingdom's Nationality and Borders Bill 2022 through Westminster there could be a very direct impact on our shared society and on many people within it being able to move freely from the South into the North.

The Taoiseach outlined the core and component parts of the work of the shared island unit around community development and reconciliation, education, healthcare and greenways. Looking at all those from above, we can see many people within education and the healthcare sector are outside Ireland or Britain and are not Irish or British citizens. They will be directly affected in their daily life. The shared island unit and what it is trying to achieve will also be affected. I will not lean too heavily into this but as a member of this committee looking at the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, the passage of that legislation by Westminster demonstrates a further disregard for the Good Friday Agreement by the British Government. That is because it has sought to put in place a law that directly affects so many people here and has an impact on the Good Friday Agreement; it runs contrary to it, in fact.

The Taoiseach touched briefly on the matter of legacy and I agree that victims must be central. We must also get back to and see implemented what was in the Stormont House Agreement, which is what we all signed up to.

Where does the Taoiseach see Article 2 of the Constitution featuring in the work of the shared island unit? The Taoiseach is absolutely correct about reconciliation and I endorse that work absolutely. Article 2 states it is a birthright and entitlement of everyone born on the island to be part of the Irish nation. It is an obligation on all of us in government and the Parliament. The Taoiseach mentioned the experience of the Derry fans going down to Cork. When important sporting events organised on an all-Ireland basis cannot be watched by audiences in the North, that is not being part of the Irish nation but rather being excluded from it. Where does the Taoiseach see Article 2 in particular resting?

Does the Taoiseach share the concerns of this committee about the Nationality and Borders Bill 2022? Has he raised it with the British Prime Minister and, if not, would he be minded to raise concerns with him given its potential impact?