Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 14, inclusive, together.

Individual commitments in the programme for Government are advanced through the co-ordinating mechanisms of the Cabinet committee structure. There are ten Cabinet committees established by the Government to reflect the full range of policy areas set out in the programme for Government. Cabinet committees meet regularly to accomplish their work.

The strategy statements of all Departments reflect the national priorities outlined in the programme for Government. The Department of the Taoiseach is continuing to help advance the programme for Government commitments in the following significant policy areas: implementation of the Housing for All strategy, including additional initiatives as necessary, to advance housing-related commitments; continued engagement at EU and international level on the situation in the Middle East, including by calling for full observance of international law by all parties; increased funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees and working to build consensus at an EU level to take a more proactive approach in assisting a negotiated two-state solution and lasting peace process as, on 28 May, Ireland formally recognised the State of Palestine, a decision which the Government took, in co-ordination with Spain and Norway, to support the two-state solution and which fulfils our commitment under the programme for Government; engagement with EU leaders to advance high-level objectives in the programme for Government, economic and competitiveness issues in particular, energy security, external relations including with the UK, as well as continuing our strong, collective EU response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine; pursuing our international commitments, including strengthening our relationship with the United States and implementing the UN sustainable development goals; advancing the Government’s commitments on the shared island initiative; ensuring implementation of the New Decade, New Approach commitment, working with the relevant Departments, North and South, in advancing these goals; strengthening the British-Irish bilateral relationship including with London, and the devolved governments in Wales and Scotland; implementation of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and the Government’s climate action plan; advancements in Sláintecare, improving access, outcomes and affordability for patients by increasing the capacity and effectiveness of the workforce, infrastructure and provision of patient care; supporting the development of the next national disability strategy that will be a blueprint for the further realisation of the UNCRPD; oversight of implementation of the third domestic, sexual and gender-based violence strategy, which is something we have discussed, rightly, a lot today in this House; oversight of the implementation of A Policing Service for our Future, which is the Government’s plan to implement the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland; development of the well-being framework for Ireland and driving its whole-of-government integration in policymaking and budgetary systems; publication of Harnessing Digital, the digital Ireland framework in February 2022; and the establishment of a child poverty and well-being programme office in the Department of the Taoiseach. These are a number of the vehicles we have in place to ensure implementation of the programme for Government and to monitor that implementation across the Government.

See this speech in context