Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At the outset, I extend my condolences and sympathies to the family of the former DUP MLA from Belfast, Christopher Stalford, on his untimely death over the weekend.

All of us in the House can agree that there is a gap regarding not just North-South relations but relations within Northern Ireland. It is a gap that the shared island dialogue has a great opportunity to fill. I ask the Taoiseach to outline whether there is an appetite to increase the ambition in this calendar year to fill that gap. I look forward to the dialogue on sport tomorrow. Providing a platform and voice for all communities across the island to engage when there is a lack of desire from aspects of the political community to engage in this island is key and can be achieved, coming as it is as both jurisdictions are moving out of Covid-19 restrictions. It is a great opportunity to be truly ambitious not just about the research documents but, crucially, the in-person events. I hope we can see the lost opportunities of the past two years replaced in the coming calendar year.

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