Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The point made by Deputy Richmond about the North-South institutions functioning is essential. I see no good reason that the Minister for Health would not meet with his Northern counterpart. That meeting should happen as a matter of urgency. More generally, and particularly in light of the new leadership of the unionist parties, we need to recall that all the Good Friday Agreement institutions must work efficiently so I call on everybody to honour those commitments.

I asked the Taoiseach about research commissioned by his Department as building blocks for the work ahead. It is welcome that the research is taking place. I also wish to mention other pieces of work being done. For example, the Royal Irish Academy's project, Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South, complements the work of the ESRI and NESC. The RIA is an all-island body. It represents academics North and South, including those from a unionist background. It brings together evidence bases, research and questions of policy. It contributes greatly to the public debate. Academics have said in different forums that the Government seems intent on adopting a Science Foundation Ireland funding model through research centres and they do not believe that is the right way to go about this. The Taoiseach needs to give that some consideration.

See this speech in context