Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, to the Seanad this morning. I wish him well. I soldiered with him in the Dáil from 2016 to 2020. He was always committed. I know he will be very committed to his new role.

Elisha McCallion (Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the Minister of State. There is no doubt that it is an extremely busy time for him and his colleagues so I appreciate his coming here today to discuss a very important issue. The Minister of State will know too well that the New Decade, New Approach agreement that was signed in January comes on the back of intense and sometimes painstaking negotiations that had been taking place for the year previous. It is worth acknowledging that at the time of signing the New Decade, New Approach agreement there was a lot of hope in the North of a new decade of politics and opportunities, even when the regional and all-Ireland economy faced unprecedented uncertainty and instability due to Brexit. There was hope all the same. The British Government defaulted in its financial commitments to the obligation before the ink had even dried on the agreement. Fortunately for us, however, we had the Irish Government on our side. It is with that in mind that I ask the Minister of State to update the House on his Government's commitments under annex A.

It was welcome news in Derry and the wider north west that the region featured significantly in the document. In fact, it even had its own section. This did not happen by accident and I am sure the Minister of State will know that our party played a key role in ensuring that Derry and the wider north west featured heavily in the negotiation process. It was right that the document recognised that the region was in need of much significant strategic investment. I acknowledge and thank the Government for its financial contribution towards the north west strategic partnership, which was formed under Fresh Start and has done great work over the years. In page 60 of the document, the Government commits to exploring opportunities to invest in the Derry, Strabane and wider north west inclusive growth deal. The deal currently comprises investment of €105 million from the Northern Executive, €105 million from the British Government and €50 million from Derry City and Strabane District Council and Ulster University. I note that my colleague, Conor Murphy, Minister of Finance in the North, wrote to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, in May this year requesting that consideration be given to contributing to this funding path. I ask the Minister of State to clarify whether his Government has explored this and if we could pick it up as a matter of urgency with the stakeholders in the north west.

The Minister of State will be acutely aware that Derry and the north west have ambitious plans to expand further and higher education through the provision of the Magee campus expansion. I have met the Minister of State's officials many times over the years and made this point very clear. The Minister of State will accept that the insertion of the Magee expansion into the document was absolutely essential for our party to buy into its agreement. Therefore, given that the agreement was signed by the Government, what has it done with the north west further and higher education cross-Border cluster, Ulster University, the Executive in the North or the British Government, which are referenced in the document in respect of the Magee expansion?

Annex A also states that the Government will enhance and update the national development plan here to commit to additional joint funding and cross-Border investment in infrastructure. What has happened in respect of this? I welcome the fact that the Government has committed €75 million towards the A5 but I once again remind the Government of its previous agreement to fund 50% of the overall cost. I would like some clarification in this regard. I am very conscious of the range of issues I have brought to the Minister of State today. However, given the week that is in it and the fact that we could potentially be going over a cliff-edge in respect of Brexit negotiations, has the Government considered targeted funding into the North, particularly in respect of Border constituencies? I have mentioned a range of projects today. At the time of signing New Decade, New Approach there was a lot of hope. There was hope in Derry and I am sure the Minister of State along with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, would not want there to be another false dawn for the people of Derry and the north west. I would be grateful for specific clarification on the issues raised.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach as an bhfáilte a chur sé romham anseo ar maidin. Ba mhaith liom freisin mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Seanadóir McCallion ós rud é gur ardaigh sí na hábhair tábhachtacha seo ag tús an tSeanaid inniu.

The New Decade, New Approach agreement, as the Senator said, was published on 9 January 2020, and formed the basis for the parties in the North to resume operating the power-sharing Assembly and Executive. The Irish and British Governments, at the same time, each announced their own separate sets of financial and other commitments in support of the resumption of the power-sharing institutions at Stormont, and the work of the North-South Ministerial Council. The Government is fully aware of the commitments in the New Decade, New Approach agreement, which the Senator outlined, and is determined to ensure maximum progress is made in implementing all of them for the benefit of everyone on the island of Ireland, North and South, including the people of counties Derry and Donegal, and the wider north west.

I am aware the Senator tabled this matter previously and raised specific issues, which, I assume, are along the lines of those raised today.

Regarding the construction of the A5 road, which is perhaps the most signature project and will inevitably be the most visible in respect of people moving and travelling, the agreement restates the Government's commitment to provide €75 million up to 2022 for the project. Governments over the years have committed to this project and little has happened. However, the Taoiseach and the Government are absolutely committed to making sure that this happens. As the Senator rightly said, it will require co-operation from the three sides. She mentioned the Northern Ireland Minister of Finance, Conor Murphy, and the Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon. With all parties working together, we are determined that the project will be delivered, and she can be assured that the Taoiseach will provide leadership on this issue.

As the Senator will no doubt be aware, a public inquiry in Northern Ireland administered by the planning appeals commission into the A5 western transport corridor scheme concluded on 13 March 2020. Subject to a favourable outcome from the public inquiry and the successful completion of all statutory procedures and environmental assessments, construction work on the first phase of the scheme, phase 1A from New Buildings to north of Strabane, could commence during 2021. As somebody who travelled in that particular area during the summer, going to north Donegal, I am aware that the road is badly needed and the project will bring significant economic benefits to the area when it is completed.

The Government welcomes the development of plans for ambitious new higher education provision at the Ulster University Magee campus in Derry. This investment has the potential to increase access to third level education for young people on a cross-Border basis, enable further co-operation between third level institutions in the north west and underpin broader economic development and opportunities in the region.

When I was the spokesperson for education in the previous Dáil, what I found surprising was how little cross-Border movement there is in education. We may think there is a large number of students crossing the Border, but there is not, in particular, for example, in respect of the institutes of technology in Dundalk and Letterkenny. However, this campus could have a major impact, and it is up to all parties involved to grasp the opportunity.

The Government is willing in principle to contribute to capital investment to support expanded provision at Magee campus, alongside the commitment made by the UK Government as part of the New Decade New Approach agreement. We look forward to early discussion with the Northern Ireland Executive on taking forward this co-ordinated investment.

The North West Strategic Growth Partnership, established in 2016 through the North-South Ministerial Council, brings together senior Government officials from relevant Departments, North and South, and other stakeholders to deliver on the strategic priorities aimed at bringing real and positive change for the north west. The Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, provided €2.5 million to the North West Development Fund. Matching funding of €2.5 million was provided from the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Government remains committed to continuing to support the work of the North West Strategic Growth Partnership and is committed in principle to providing further funding in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Executive.

The meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in plenary format, which took place in Dublin on 31 July last, was a positive development for co-operation and shared understanding. That it how we will get things done.

We look forward to continued engagement with the Northern Ireland Executive, including in taking the New Decade, New Approach commitments forward through the regular pattern of ministerial meetings via the North-South Ministerial Council's 12 policy sectors over the coming months.

Elisha McCallion (Sinn Fein)
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In relation to the expansion of the Ulster University Magee campus in Derry and the possibility of the Government working with the Executive in the North, I ask that the issue be placed on the agenda of the next North-South Ministerial Council. There is continuing engagement between Letterkenny Institute of Technology and the further and higher education establishments in the north west but I am sure the Minister of State will appreciate that what we need now is leadership to bring forward proposals for full expansion of the Magee campus. It will need a bespoke arrangement and help and assistance from the Irish Government, the Government in the North and perhaps the British Government. All the good work and endeavours of the north west further and higher education cross-Border cluster can only go so far. We have political agreement on the need to expand the university in Derry for the wider north west and we need political leadership from the Minister of State, the Executive in the North, the British Government and the two councils in Derry and Donegal. I ask that this matter be put on the agenda of the next meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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I will pass on the Senator's request to the Taoiseach and the Ministers. We have a Taoiseach who is probably the most committed to education we have ever seen. He is also committed to breaking down the barriers between people within the North and between North and South. That is what this Taoiseach is about. One way of doing that is expanding access to education, both regionally for the north west and Derry and with regard to the cross-Border education aspect, which has not been given the attention it deserves over the years. I assure the Senator that this will be progressed under the Taoiseach and his Government. This will be a real commitment and the Senator will see real action on it. The Government fully recognises the need for further investment and development in Border areas. We are committed to exploring opportunities for investment that will further support communities to bring greater economic prosperity and social benefits to the wider region but, most importantly, breaking down barriers and bringing together the people of this shared island. That is how we will make progress economically and socially.

The PEACE+ programme will be important as well. The Taoiseach was key to negotiating that programme at the European Council and we are working to ensure the North of Ireland and the Border counties achieve the greatest possible benefit from the programme over the next few years. The Taoiseach and I will be keeping a close eye on that programme of money.