Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will report on his recent meeting in Belfast with Mr. David Hanson, Northern Ireland Office Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure; the issues that were discussed at this meeting; the areas in which he hopes to develop more North-South co-operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10794/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Minister Hanson and I held meetings on 6 March 2006 with the chairs and chief executives of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency and with the chief executive of Waterways Ireland, to discuss matters which fall within the remit of these cross-Border Implementation Bodies. The discussions focused on a range of corporate governance issues and work priorities and goals for 2006, as part of our regular review of the work of these bodies.

With regard to An Foras Teanga-Tha Boord o Leid, Minister Hanson and I reaffirmed the two Governments' commitment and support for language and cultural diversity across the island and commended both the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge on their achievements to date. We agreed in principle, subject to the approval of the North-South Ministerial Council, that 30 Foras na Gaeilge staff posts should be located in Gaoth Dobhair and that the board of foras should now bring forward firm proposals on the phases of locating this staff complement to Gaoth Dobhair, and a decision on the precise sections and functions to be located there.

With regard to Waterways Ireland, Minister Hanson and I welcomed the publication of a socio-economic summary report for the north-east and south-west sections of the Ulster Canal and a feasibility study into the Re-opening of the Ulster Canal, which Waterways Ireland had commissioned at our request. We noted the potential these reports give for the canal to be developed and for boosting its social and economic potential and we were pleased to acknowledge the assistance provided by the Blackwater Partnership to Waterways Ireland in the production of these reports. Minister Hanson and I, and our respective Departments, will now consider the reports.

We also noted with satisfaction the achievements made by Waterways Ireland against 2005 business plan objectives and its steady progress on the main targets for 2006. We expressed support for the ongoing work of developing and promoting the inland waterways network on this island and commended Waterways Ireland for its progressive approach to identifying the issues facing staff in a cross-Border context, bringing together existing and new staff from different backgrounds and cultures and putting in place a positive action plan to take the organisation forward. I have arranged for a copy of the joint statement that was issued following the meeting to be forwarded to the Deputy.