Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 to 33, inclusive, together.

The postponement of the North South Ministerial Council meeting in plenary format, which was scheduled to take place in Dublin Castle on 4 July 2014, was disappointing. A date for the rescheduled meeting has not yet been set, but efforts are underway to ensure it is rescheduled at the earliest opportunity.

Had the meeting on 4 July taken place, it is likely that discussions would have included financial and economic matters, the shared interest North and South in EU Matters, the North West Gateway Initiative, the Narrow Water Bridge and ongoing opportunities for further all-island cooperation, with the focus on those areas that promote economic recovery, job creation, the best use of tax-payers’ funds and the most effective delivery of public services.

The North South Ministerial Council is dealing with important issues, such as job creation and economic development, which are of benefit to people across this island. Advancing its work remains an important Government objective. To date in 2014, there have been 13 Ministerial meetings across the various sectors for co-operation including one in Institutional format. It is expected that further meetings – in sectoral, institutional and plenary formats - will take place in the autumn.