Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. I thank the witnesses for the opening statement.

The discussion so far has been very interesting. I was very interested in the information the officials provided on the dialogue series and how they sought to include under-represented voices in the peace process. Women, young people and ethnic minority communities were mentioned. Will the witnesses expand on that? Through its work, the committee has sought to include as many quiet voices as possible. We think that is important. Will they elaborate on the processes they were able to achieve in bringing those people and representations into their work? That would be most helpful.

On the shared island enterprise initiative, it was mentioned that the Government made an allocation in principle of up to €30 million for the development of a scheme to focus on promoting female entrepreneurship. Will the officials also expand on that? We have heard about childcare issues in the North. We have our own childcare issues in the South as regards lack of availability and cost. Are there childcare supports that might be included around female entrepreneurship?

On cross-Border health and education strategies, what is the unit's remit with respect to assisting organisations in either region that want to work on a cross-Border basis? We have heard about the salary differences between teachers in the North and the South. Will the unit's work incorporate any strategy to harmonise that?