Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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27. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views that there is potential for formalised arrangements within the North South Ministerial Council for closer collaboration in the area of Further/Higher Education; if this area is being considered for closer North South co-operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35961/13]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the up-to-date position in relation to the review of the existing North South Implementation Bodies, as provided for in the St Andrew's Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35973/13]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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29. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the up-to-date progress in relation to the establishment of additional North South Implementation Bodies within the North South ministerial council; if these issues have been discussed recently with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with members of the Northern Ireland Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35974/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 28 and 29 together. I propose to take questions 27, 28 and 29 together. The three terms of reference of the review of the existing North South bodies and of North South co-operation generally which is being undertaken in accordance with the St Andrews Agreement, are to examine the existing bodies in terms of efficiency and value for money, to look at the case for additional North South bodies and areas of co-operation and at a replacement for the Irish Lights Agency.

The review was a subject of discussion at the recent meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in plenary format which was held in Dublin Castle on 5 July 2013 and which was attended by members of the Government and of the Northern Ireland Executive including the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. It was noted that Term of Reference One of the review is now largely complete; that senior officials from both administrations have met and initiated a work programme to take forward Terms of Reference Two and Three; including expanding on the areas of North South cooperation, and that they will conclude their work and present a report with proposals to the next NSMC Institutional meeting in the autumn. The potential for closer North South co-operation in the area of Further and Higher Education will of course be considered closely by the appropriate officials as part of this stage of the review.