Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Before the Minister responds, I will ask a question under subhead A6. I declare an interest insofar as I am a director of Co-operation Ireland, which is a body known to the Department. In the course of the year, we had an opportunity to raise with the Minister an important issue that was raised in the first instance by my colleague, Deputy Stanton. It relates to the future of the American Irish Historical Society in New York. The Department granted a significant amount of funding to the society in the past. I acknowledge that the Government has no proprietary interest in the premises, but we are concerned at reports of its proposed sale. We are also mindful that there are significant issues in relation to the society's governance arrangements and internal controls. We know there have been changes. If it is not a matter the Minister can discuss with us now, he might advise as to whether the Department still has concerns in respect of governance. Given the strong feeling of concern, not only in America among the Irish diaspora but also here in Ireland, the Minister may be willing to engage, assuming the governance structures are to his satisfaction and having regard to the role of the US Attorney General, Letitia James, whose consent to the sale of the property is required. As a non-profit organisation, any sale of the premises is contingent upon the approval of the US Office of the Attorney General or the New York Supreme Court. While the Government does not have a proprietary interest, has it indicated an interest otherwise, having regard to the importance of the building to Ireland and its iconic status on Fifth Avenue?

Regarding North-South and Anglo-Irish co-operation and the importance of all the funding under the subhead, it is stated that funding in 2022 has been maintained at 2021 levels. Did Covid have any consequences for 2021 levels? What has happened to funding that may not have been expended along what might be described as normal lines due to the absence of person-to-person engagements? Has that funding been taken into consideration this year?