Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I would like to make two points. First, does the Taoiseach agree that the first paragraph of the programme for Government states that the Government's "overriding priority will be to secure lasting peace in Ireland through the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement"? The Government committed itself in the programme to "the consolidation of its institutions, and the development of a spirit of friendship and cooperation between North and South ..... without prejudice to the ultimate goal of achieving a united Ireland in peace and agreement". Will the Taoiseach outline to the House the progress that has been made in respect of that central aim of the Government? Will he clarify the level of progress he expects will be made in that regard between now and the end of the year?

Second, one of the key aims of the programme for Government is the improvement of infrastructural supports and links on an all-Ireland basis. I think the Taoiseach will agree that particularly slow progress has been made in many of these areas. I ask him to outline the progress that has been made in respect of the all-Ireland travel scheme for pensioners, which is an example of a project to which the Government committed itself, but has yet to be delivered. Does the Taoiseach acknowledge that the absence of progress on a full raft of important and worthwhile projects is disappointing and is setting back the overall project? I refer to the Ulster Canal project, for example.

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