Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 29 together.

Chomhghairdeas and congratulations to Deputy Moynihan on his election to the Dáil. I look forward to working with him constructively. I will undertake to pursue the issue of Foras na Gaeilge and revert to him directly on it, as I share his views on the importance of it having funding certainty.

I was delighted to make an early visit in my role as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to Belfast on 28 January. While there, I met First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, building on my initial calls with them on the weekend of 25 February shortly after receiving my seal of office.

I also met with the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Edwin Poots; with the leader of the Alliance Party, Naomi Long, and a delegation from that party; and with the leader of the SDLP, Claire Hanna, and a delegation from that party. Finally, I had phone calls with both Gavin Robinson, leader of the DUP, and Mike Nesbitt, leader of the UUP. The tone of these engagements, coming close to the first anniversary of the restoration of the institutions, was positive and forward-looking. Throughout, I stressed that this Government fulfilling its role as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement and continuing to invest in reconciliation will be a priority for us. Effective North-South co-operation is a vital part of that commitment. The immediate backdrop of Storm Éowyn provided a vivid illustration of some of the shared challenges we face and of the need to do more together across the island. Like the Deputy, I emphasised the essential role of the North-South Ministerial Council. I also highlighted the renewed commitment to the shared island initiative in the programme for Government, with pledges to strengthen human and financial resources, including a further €1 billion, up to 2035.

Addressing the legacy of the Troubles came up in a number of my meetings and is going to be a major priority for me during my time in office. I made clear in my engagements the Government's commitment to develop a fit-for-purpose mechanism to seek truth and justice for victims and for their families. My first visit took place on the day that the commemorative hearings of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry began. In that context I underlined our commitment to facilitating and supporting the inquiry in full. I have also in recent days met with Northern Ireland victims and survivors groups on the issue of legacy. The implementation of the Windsor Framework also featured in my conversation. While this was my first visit, I visited on a number of occasions as Taoiseach and will be a regular visitor in the period ahead.

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