Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. I dtosach, is mian liom gach rath a ghuí ar an Tánaiste agus é ag toiseacht amach mar Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha. I look forward to working with the Tánaiste and to many engagements in the House.

My question is on the Tánaiste's recent engagement with political leaders in Northern Ireland. I note his optimism about the first meetings of the new North-South Ministerial Council. A particular issue I would love for the Tánaiste to make sure is on the agenda for the North-South Ministerial Council is the need to finalise the funding arrangements for Foras na Gaeilge. The Tánaiste will be aware that there is some dispute about them at Executive level in Northern Ireland.

In the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, the all-island bodies should be enacted and protected. In particular, Foras na Gaeilge's funding should be protected and its approach to the Irish language should be an all-island one. I welcome any interventions the Tánaiste and his Government colleagues can make on this matter to ensure we get a resolution to it.

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