Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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3. To ask the Taoiseach his priorities for the forthcoming plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in County Armagh in November. [40791/13]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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4. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide and update on his engagements with the British Government and with the Northern Ireland Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44105/13]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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5. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on his recent discussions with Mr. Bill Clinton, former President of the United States of America, in respect of Northern Ireland. [44109/13]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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6. To ask the Taoiseach if he will set out his Department's plans for promoting greater co-operation between Britain and the Republic of Ireland in addressing policy concerns at meetings of EU Heads of Government. [44112/13]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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7. To ask the Taoiseach if he has recently met representatives of the Northern Ireland Executive. [45916/13]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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8. To ask the Taoiseach if he spoke to the British Prime Minister David Cameron at the recent European Council meeting in Brussels on matters relating to the North of Ireland and the peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47673/13]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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9. To ask the Taoiseach when he next plans to visit the North of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47697/13]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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10. To ask the Taoiseach if he has met members of the Northern Ireland Executive recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47758/13]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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11. To ask the Taoiseach if he has visited Northern Ireland recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47847/13]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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12. To ask the Taoiseach the particular areas of youth unemployment that was discussed at the British Irish Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50146/13]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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13. To ask the Taoiseach the specific actions he will take on youth unemployment following the British Irish Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50147/13]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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14. To ask the Taoiseach if he spoke to the British Prime Minister David Cameron regarding the planned State visit to Britain next April by President Michael D. Higgins; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50213/13]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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15. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the 21st British Irish Council Summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50216/13]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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16. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the Messines and the Menin Gate in December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50217/13]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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17. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the recent North-South meeting in Armagh. [53719/13]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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18. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the Messines and the Menin Gate in December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53721/13]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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19. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on recent meetings he has had with Northern Ireland Executive representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53849/13]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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20. To ask the Taoiseach if he had meetings with British Prime Minister David Cameron at the European Council meeting on19 December, 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55567/13]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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21. To ask the Taoiseach his plans to meet with the British Prime Minister David Cameron. [2225/14]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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22. To ask the Taoiseach when he plans to hold a debate in Dáil Éireann on Northern Ireland. [2232/14]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 22, inclusive, together.

The last occasion on which I answered oral questions on Northern Ireland issues was in September last year. There are 45 parliamentary questions tabled on this subject. Therefore, in the light of previous representations, I have decided to take questions in two groups and on a thematic basis to allow for a more structured debate on the issues raised by Deputies. This group deals primarily with engagement with Prime Minister Cameron, the Northern Ireland Executive and various meetings, including the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council. Questions relating to the Haass talks will be dealt with together in the next group. There are 20 questions in this group.

I attended a very constructive plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in Armagh on 8 November chaired by First Minister Robinson and Deputy First Minister McGuinness. The programme for Government includes a commitment to work for greater cross-Border economic co-operation to accelerate the process of recovery and the creation of jobs on the island. The other members of the Government and I avail of all opportunities, including meetings within the framework of the North-South Ministerial Council, to have constructive engagement with Northern Ministers on matters of mutual economic interest, advance initiatives designed to boost economic activity on the island and seek practical co-operation in providing services.

At the last plenary meeting in November 2013 we had an open and productive discussion about a number of issues that were important to people on all parts of the island. We also discussed youth employment and how we could work together to tackle this issue, which is of vital importance to both jurisdictions. Regarding the St. Andrew's Agreement review, we agreed that Ministers would examine priorities at sectoral meetings, especially as they might affect economic recovery, job creation, the best use of public funds and the most effective delivery of public services. This was further discussed at a North-South Ministerial Council institutional meeting earlier this month. We discussed the fiscal and economic challenges facing both jurisdictions and the opportunities for more practical co-operation. We are keen to ensure a preliminary package of new priorities will be ready for consideration at the next meeting in June this year. I would like to see further co-operation that would help to create more employment and boost exports and economic activity. I have in mind, for example, opportunities to develop synergies in increasing our joint draw down of innovation funding under Horizon 2020. There would also be merit in examining the potential to develop cross-Border clusters of economic activity. Before the plenary meeting, I addressed a joint sport and reconciliation conference in Armagh together with the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister and the Tánaiste. I endorsed the collaboration between the three sports organisations, the GAA, the IRFU and the IFA, to tackle racism, sectarianism and division.

While in Armagh, I also took the opportunity to meet the CEOs of the North-South Implementation Bodies to discuss their work programmes and also to get their views on growing their respective areas of activity. I also had the opportunity to meet briefly the SDLP leader, Dr. Alasdair McDonnell, on the margins of the SDLP annual conference. On 10 November I attended the Sunday Remembrance Day wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph in Enniskillen. I went to pay my respects to all of the war dead who had given their lives in the world wars. In advance of the wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph I met briefly members of the South East Fermanagh Federation and Minister Arlene Foster in the Clinton Centre. I attended the service of remembrance in St. McCartin's Cathedral. After the service I met Dean Kenneth Hall and Canon Peter O'Reilly, together with members of the Church of Ireland Vestry and members of the local parish council. I commend Dean Hall and Canon O'Reilly and all of the people of Enniskillen for their collective work and leadership in fostering cross-community relations and also in maintaining the dignity and importance of Remembrance Day. I also met members of the Royal British Legion and their families in the Legion Hall.

I attended the 21st British-Irish Council summit hosted by the Jersey Chief Minister in Jersey on 15 November. We had a very productive discussion on economic issues and addressed the topics of creative industries and youth employment, which are important issues across all of our administrations. We had a short video presentation on Jersey's advance to work scheme, which provides young people with approximately three months work experience and employment training, supported by a mentor. We also exchanged views and examined progress on the various policy initiatives and programmes aimed at helping young people into employment in each member administration and reviewed the latest relevant statistics. By way of follow up to the summit meeting, all British-Irish Council work sectors have been asked to consider the issue of generating employment opportunities for young people in their work programmes and report on the matter at the next British-Irish Council summit in Guernsey in June 2014.

On my Department's plans for promoting greater co-operation between Britain and the Republic of Ireland in addressing policy concerns at meetings of EU Heads of Government, our two countries have shared common membership of the European Union for almost 40 years. As partners in the European Union, we are firm supporters of the Single Market and continue to work together to encourage an outward-facing European Union which promotes growth and job creation. We share a desire to reduce the burden of regulation, particularly on small and medium enterprises, and believe the Single Market should, in particular, take advantage of digital opportunities, reflecting the growing importance of online commerce and trade, opening up services markets and establishing a genuine, efficient and effective internal market in energy. We also share a commitment to build a robust, dynamic and competitive financial services sector across the European Union that provides vital support for citizens and businesses and creates sustainable employment. During Ireland's Presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2013 we worked closely across the range of EU dossiers. We will continue to consult each other on key EU policy issues. Since the publication of the joint statement, British-Irish Relations – the Next Decade, by Prime Minister Cameron and I in March 2012 we have been making good progress in driving closer co-operation between Britain and Ireland. A joint British-Irish economic study, Evaluating the value of the economic relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland, was published in July 2013 and helped to inform areas for closer co-operation.

Two plenary meetings of Secretaries General and Permanent Secretaries have taken place to date - in November 2012 in London and in September 2013 in Dublin. These meetings provide a platform to consider progress to date and map out future work. Both the Prime Minister and I are committed to meeting together at annual summits to review and oversee progress in the broad areas outlined in the joint statement. I expect our next review will take place in March.

On 9 October I had an informal meeting with former US President Bill Clinton when he visited Dublin to attend an event organised by Philanthropy Ireland. The President is a very good friend of Ireland and remains keenly interested in our progress. Our meeting was a useful opportunity to thank him again for his ongoing support for and interest in Ireland. As Deputies are aware, he has been a major influence on the Northern Ireland peace process during the years and we discussed the current situation in Northern Ireland, including the talks chaired by Richard Haass.

On 19 December 2013 Prime Minister Cameron and I visited the war graves in Flanders to commemorate and honour all those Irish and British soldiers who had died in the First World War. During the visit the Prime Minister and I laid wreaths at the Irish Peace Park in Messines and at Menin Gate. We visited Tyne Cot and paid our respects at the war graves of the 36th (Ulster) Division, the 16th (Irish) Division and the 10th (Irish) Division, as well as visiting the lone grave of Willie Redmond. Following that visit I attended the European Council meeting in Brussels.

I warmly welcome the official confirmation that President Higgins will pay a state visit to the United Kingdom this year. This is a further demonstration of the warm and positive relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom. The state visit in April, following on the very successful visit to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth in 2011, will be a wonderful opportunity to deepen the relationship.

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, is examining the Smithwick report with a view to making a submission to the Government in the coming weeks. He has already had preliminary discussions with the Garda Commissioner. He has met his Northern Ireland counterpart, David Forde, as well as the Garda Commissioner and the Chief Constable of the PSNI and the report was one of the items on the agenda. On 4 December the Tánaiste informed the House that he agreed that the Government would make time available to have the Smithwick report discussed in the House. Perhaps that occasion might also be used for a wider debate on Northern Ireland, should the party Whips so wish.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Just six minutes and 40 seconds remain for this business and four Deputies have questions. Deputy Adams has nine questions, Deputy Martin has four, Deputy Joe Higgins has three and Deputy Boyd Barrett has one. I suggest that if we allow two minutes for the Taoiseach to reply to the supplementary questions, we should allocate a maximum of two minutes to Deputy Adams, a minute to Deputies Martin and Higgins and whatever is left to Deputy Boyd Barrett. Is that agreed? Agreed. Deputies should put all of their supplementaries together as best they can.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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This is not a criticism of the Ceann Comhairle, as I know he is doing his best with the time he has, but it is unsatisfactory to have less just over six minutes. I submitted nine questions and we have not discussed the North here on oral questions since September.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is wasting time now.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I am making a political point.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I allowed the Deputy in earlier on a supplementary although he had no question submitted. Let us be fair now.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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In Question No. 22, I asked the Taoiseach when he plans to hold a debate in the Dáil on Northern Ireland. He made a commitment to doing this twice and I would like to see that debate take place. There is a huge amount happening in the North and there is a huge amount the Government could be doing, but it is not doing it. The attitude here among Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Labour Party is condescending and patronising towards the parties in the North. I want to see the parties here organised in the North and want to see them knitted into the life of society there. I particularly want to see the Government here facing up to the British Government in ensuring it fulfils its obligations under international treaties. We cannot expect the Unionist leaders who want to dilute, diminish, slow down and protect change to embrace new dispensations when the British Government is not doing so.

I will limit my remarks to say to the Taoiseach that we need a full debate on these issues. The Taoiseach needs to organise some way - on a monthly or some other basis - that we can come in here and give time to deal with nine questions in detail. There is no way I can deal with my nine questions in the time I have been allocated here. I will not deal with the substance of my questions now, but simply ask the Taoiseach to set aside not just sufficient time for a debate, but to provide a systematic way of discussing these hugely important questions. The Taoiseach has said we should not take the peace for granted and we should not. Let us do our jobs and focus on building the peace.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I agree we need a debate on Northern Ireland and it is much to be regretted that the defining characteristic of Government policy over the past three years has been a hands-off policy.

There has been a lack of any co-ordinated development in regard to the Border region. The crystallisation of this was the failure to go ahead with the Narrow Water bridge project. I find it incomprehensible that the Taoiseach, along with the British Prime Minister and the Northern Ireland Executive, did not make this happen. The project had the support of communities on both sides of the Border. If that was ten or 20 years ago, we would have given our right arm to have that level of commitment from all sides and traditions. Apart from its socioeconomic value, which was proven in the value for money study, the project's importance in terms of bridging communities from different traditions would have been immense.

European funding had been allocated for the project, but there was a failure of political will to make it happen. Why was that and why did the Taoiseach not insist on knocking heads together to make it happen and ensure we availed of the European funding that was available? The failure to do so was huge in terms of the economy of the Border region and North-South relations.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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The First World War was a crime of appalling proportions which inflicted hell on earth by the ruling classes of both Germany and Britain in pursuit of greater access to markets and greed for each other's colonies. Millions of victims were working class youth in uniform and others. I put it to the Taoiseach that it is not appropriate that he should participate uncritically with modern day representatives of the British ruling class in ceremonies supposedly commemorating the innocent victims, when those people have never acknowledged the extent of the crime for which they and the German ruling class were responsible.

One of the Taoiseach's party information bulletins states that Fine Gael embraced other traditions as it developed in Ireland, including the Irish Parliamentary Party of Redmond. In 2014, the year commemorating the 100th anniversary of the launch of the nightmare of the First World War, has the Taoiseach any plans to apologise for the baleful crime of the Irish Parliamentary Party and its leadership in whipping up support for the World War atrocities and being responsible for tens of thousands of youth from this country participating and dying in the process?

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I endorse the call for a debate on the North because there are many issues and we need some kind of regular space to discuss these.

While we all want to see greater levels of all-Ireland co-operation and common work North and South, there are worrying signs that we are co-operating or echoing one another in the wrong areas. Last week, in the Royal Victoria Hospital there was a trolley crisis, with 46 people on trolleys. People before Profit representatives in Belfast tell me that is as a direct result of the closure of the city hospital. This parallels what is happening here, with the resurgence in the trolley crisis because, as a doctor from St. Vincent's said recently, of the closure of the 24 hour accident and emergency facility in Loughlinstown. This is a worrying sign of us co-operating and adopting common policies in the wrong areas and of applying austerity and cutbacks in a way that is detrimental to public services. This ultimately fuels the sectarian conflict, as different communities struggle and compete with one another for ever reducing resources.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputies for their questions. There will be a debate on Northern Ireland the week after next. Deputies have raised issues they wish to be debated here. We will have the Health Service Executive plan next week and a debate on Northern Ireland, the Haass talks and all of that the following week and everybody will have the opportunity to contribute to that.

Deputy Martin raised the issue of the Narrow Water bridge. We supported this in principle. Unfortunately, the problem was that while the estimate was for it to cost €18 million, the tender price came in at over €30 million. The local authority in County Louth had undertaken to make up the shortfall and the European moneys were due to be allocated. If those moneys were not allocated within a specific time, they would be allocated elsewhere and that is what happened. The Northern Ireland Executive and the Government agreed that we would keep this project alive.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is over.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Yes, but it seems the Deputy is suggesting that because Louth County Council said it would make up the shortfall, we should ask taxpayers here to write another cheque for €14 million, on top of what we were already contributing.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach should have got it sorted in the time.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The point is there was an estimate of what the bridge would cost, but when the tenders came in they were almost double that. The Deputy seems to think we can just write cheques as happened before. This is a different era. I support the concept of a bridge at Narrow Water. I met the people on both sides and the bridge would be a tangible benefit. The project is not dead. We must revive it, but it will be a different bridge when it is built.

I attended the ceremonies at Flanders - at the peace park - put together by Paddy Harte and Glen Barr. It was a privilege to be there and the ceremony was both nostalgic and emotional. Seeing an officer of Óglaigh na hÉireann giving advice to the British Prime Minister in respect of the location for wreath laying and the protocol to be followed was symbolic of a new era of the relationship between both our countries, following on the attendance of the Queen of England and former Uachtarán na hÉireann many years ago, on the first occasion where those two formidable women met. We also visited the Menin Gate Memorial at Messines.

It is a powerful statement when the local guide shows one of the names of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who were blown up or shot and never recovered and whose place of final rest is unknown. There are more than 51,000 names, many from this city and country. The Irish Parliamentary Party had very particular view about associating itself with the Great War, the war to end all wars, in the context of the Home Rule Bill. Everybody made up their own minds, either for King and country or for the freedom of small nations. No doubt the Deputy has been in Flanders and visited the grave of Willie Redmond who, when he was shot, was carried on the back of a Protestant soldier to where he was given attention in the local hospital, which is now the location of his grave. It is a powerful reminder of why we have the European Union. The fact that 60 million people, mostly men, were slaughtered in the two world wars speaks for itself.

To answer Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett, we will have a debate the week after next on Northern Ireland.