Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 22, inclusive, together.

The last occasion on which I answered oral questions on Northern Ireland issues was in September last year. There are 45 parliamentary questions tabled on this subject. Therefore, in the light of previous representations, I have decided to take questions in two groups and on a thematic basis to allow for a more structured debate on the issues raised by Deputies. This group deals primarily with engagement with Prime Minister Cameron, the Northern Ireland Executive and various meetings, including the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council. Questions relating to the Haass talks will be dealt with together in the next group. There are 20 questions in this group.

I attended a very constructive plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in Armagh on 8 November chaired by First Minister Robinson and Deputy First Minister McGuinness. The programme for Government includes a commitment to work for greater cross-Border economic co-operation to accelerate the process of recovery and the creation of jobs on the island. The other members of the Government and I avail of all opportunities, including meetings within the framework of the North-South Ministerial Council, to have constructive engagement with Northern Ministers on matters of mutual economic interest, advance initiatives designed to boost economic activity on the island and seek practical co-operation in providing services.

At the last plenary meeting in November 2013 we had an open and productive discussion about a number of issues that were important to people on all parts of the island. We also discussed youth employment and how we could work together to tackle this issue, which is of vital importance to both jurisdictions. Regarding the St. Andrew's Agreement review, we agreed that Ministers would examine priorities at sectoral meetings, especially as they might affect economic recovery, job creation, the best use of public funds and the most effective delivery of public services. This was further discussed at a North-South Ministerial Council institutional meeting earlier this month. We discussed the fiscal and economic challenges facing both jurisdictions and the opportunities for more practical co-operation. We are keen to ensure a preliminary package of new priorities will be ready for consideration at the next meeting in June this year. I would like to see further co-operation that would help to create more employment and boost exports and economic activity. I have in mind, for example, opportunities to develop synergies in increasing our joint draw down of innovation funding under Horizon 2020. There would also be merit in examining the potential to develop cross-Border clusters of economic activity. Before the plenary meeting, I addressed a joint sport and reconciliation conference in Armagh together with the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister and the Tánaiste. I endorsed the collaboration between the three sports organisations, the GAA, the IRFU and the IFA, to tackle racism, sectarianism and division.

While in Armagh, I also took the opportunity to meet the CEOs of the North-South Implementation Bodies to discuss their work programmes and also to get their views on growing their respective areas of activity. I also had the opportunity to meet briefly the SDLP leader, Dr. Alasdair McDonnell, on the margins of the SDLP annual conference. On 10 November I attended the Sunday Remembrance Day wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph in Enniskillen. I went to pay my respects to all of the war dead who had given their lives in the world wars. In advance of the wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph I met briefly members of the South East Fermanagh Federation and Minister Arlene Foster in the Clinton Centre. I attended the service of remembrance in St. McCartin's Cathedral. After the service I met Dean Kenneth Hall and Canon Peter O'Reilly, together with members of the Church of Ireland Vestry and members of the local parish council. I commend Dean Hall and Canon O'Reilly and all of the people of Enniskillen for their collective work and leadership in fostering cross-community relations and also in maintaining the dignity and importance of Remembrance Day. I also met members of the Royal British Legion and their families in the Legion Hall.

I attended the 21st British-Irish Council summit hosted by the Jersey Chief Minister in Jersey on 15 November. We had a very productive discussion on economic issues and addressed the topics of creative industries and youth employment, which are important issues across all of our administrations. We had a short video presentation on Jersey's advance to work scheme, which provides young people with approximately three months work experience and employment training, supported by a mentor. We also exchanged views and examined progress on the various policy initiatives and programmes aimed at helping young people into employment in each member administration and reviewed the latest relevant statistics. By way of follow up to the summit meeting, all British-Irish Council work sectors have been asked to consider the issue of generating employment opportunities for young people in their work programmes and report on the matter at the next British-Irish Council summit in Guernsey in June 2014.

On my Department's plans for promoting greater co-operation between Britain and the Republic of Ireland in addressing policy concerns at meetings of EU Heads of Government, our two countries have shared common membership of the European Union for almost 40 years. As partners in the European Union, we are firm supporters of the Single Market and continue to work together to encourage an outward-facing European Union which promotes growth and job creation. We share a desire to reduce the burden of regulation, particularly on small and medium enterprises, and believe the Single Market should, in particular, take advantage of digital opportunities, reflecting the growing importance of online commerce and trade, opening up services markets and establishing a genuine, efficient and effective internal market in energy. We also share a commitment to build a robust, dynamic and competitive financial services sector across the European Union that provides vital support for citizens and businesses and creates sustainable employment. During Ireland's Presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2013 we worked closely across the range of EU dossiers. We will continue to consult each other on key EU policy issues. Since the publication of the joint statement, British-Irish Relations – the Next Decade, by Prime Minister Cameron and I in March 2012 we have been making good progress in driving closer co-operation between Britain and Ireland. A joint British-Irish economic study, Evaluating the value of the economic relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland, was published in July 2013 and helped to inform areas for closer co-operation.

Two plenary meetings of Secretaries General and Permanent Secretaries have taken place to date - in November 2012 in London and in September 2013 in Dublin. These meetings provide a platform to consider progress to date and map out future work. Both the Prime Minister and I are committed to meeting together at annual summits to review and oversee progress in the broad areas outlined in the joint statement. I expect our next review will take place in March.

On 9 October I had an informal meeting with former US President Bill Clinton when he visited Dublin to attend an event organised by Philanthropy Ireland. The President is a very good friend of Ireland and remains keenly interested in our progress. Our meeting was a useful opportunity to thank him again for his ongoing support for and interest in Ireland. As Deputies are aware, he has been a major influence on the Northern Ireland peace process during the years and we discussed the current situation in Northern Ireland, including the talks chaired by Richard Haass.

On 19 December 2013 Prime Minister Cameron and I visited the war graves in Flanders to commemorate and honour all those Irish and British soldiers who had died in the First World War. During the visit the Prime Minister and I laid wreaths at the Irish Peace Park in Messines and at Menin Gate. We visited Tyne Cot and paid our respects at the war graves of the 36th (Ulster) Division, the 16th (Irish) Division and the 10th (Irish) Division, as well as visiting the lone grave of Willie Redmond. Following that visit I attended the European Council meeting in Brussels.

I warmly welcome the official confirmation that President Higgins will pay a state visit to the United Kingdom this year. This is a further demonstration of the warm and positive relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom. The state visit in April, following on the very successful visit to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth in 2011, will be a wonderful opportunity to deepen the relationship.

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, is examining the Smithwick report with a view to making a submission to the Government in the coming weeks. He has already had preliminary discussions with the Garda Commissioner. He has met his Northern Ireland counterpart, David Forde, as well as the Garda Commissioner and the Chief Constable of the PSNI and the report was one of the items on the agenda. On 4 December the Tánaiste informed the House that he agreed that the Government would make time available to have the Smithwick report discussed in the House. Perhaps that occasion might also be used for a wider debate on Northern Ireland, should the party Whips so wish.

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