Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 169: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way his Department works with other Departments to support efforts to develop mutual understanding trust and cooperation between the people on this island as well as deeper economic and social ties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23886/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), established as part of the Good Friday Agreement, plays a key role in developing deeper economic and social ties through bringing together relevant Ministers from the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. The NSMC also reviews the work of the North-South bodies, such as InterTrade Ireland and Tourism Ireland. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a co-ordination role in regard to the work of other Departments in this jurisdiction on North/South matters. North South Ministerial meetings in all sectors have taken place in the last six months. Most recently, on 27 April, I met with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in a meeting of the NSMC in Institutional format, where we discussed cross-cutting issues, including EU matters. A Plenary Meeting of the NSMC will take place on 15 June, when the Government and the Executive will review progress to date and discuss further cooperation to address current economic challenges.

In addition to the activities of the NSMC, the President, Taoiseach, and I, as well as other Members of the Government, regularly undertake visits to Northern Ireland. President Higgins most recently visited Derry on 24 April 2012 when he gave a lecture at Magee College in Derry. The Taoiseach visited Belfast on18 April 2012 when he delivered the Chancellor's Lecture at the University of Ulster.

I addressed at the Alliance Party Conference in Belfast on 18 April and held a bilateral meeting with Alliance Party Leader David Ford, who is also Justice Minister in the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Reconciliation Fund administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade aims to assist individuals and organisations involved in reconciliation work and to encourage and facilitate better relations within and between the political traditions on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain. The Anti-Sectarianism Fund provides financial assistance to projects in communities seeking new and more effective ways of addressing the urgent challenges posed by sectarianism and division in society. An Inter Departmental Committee, comprised of representatives from the Departments of the Taoiseach, Education and Skills, Justice and Equality and from my own Department meets several times a year to review received applications and put forward recommendations for funding. Since 1982, the two Funds have disbursed some €37 million to over 800 projects. This year €2.7M has been allocated to these activities and consideration of a first round of applications is underway.

I would also acknowledge the important role played by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and other Joint Oireachtas Committees which have increased their contacts and co-operation with Committees in the Northern Ireland Assembly and with other actors.