Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

77. To ask the Taoiseach the State bodies under his remit which have developed memoranda of understanding with his counterpart in Northern Ireland with regard to the efficient delivery of services on the island of Ireland; if he has carried out a cost-benefit analysis of the development of further memoranda of understanding; the details of the cost-benefit analysis; and the new memoranda of understanding he will be creating between State bodies under their remits through the lifetime of this Government. [14289/16]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

79. To ask the Taoiseach if he is satisfied with the level of data that is collected on the issues which come under his remit; the steps he will take to work with the administration in Northern Ireland to collect data under his aegis on a North-South basis; and the budgets he will put in place to undertake this work (details supplied). [14448/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 79 together.

The Central Statistics Office and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) are State Bodies under the remit of my Department. The NESDO is the body corporate for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC).

The CSO and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) work closely together on topics of common interest. While there are no specific MOUs between them, there are areas of close co-operation, which includes regular meetings and exchange of best practice on current methods for collection and processing of Census of Population and Business and Tourism statistics.

They produce a number of joint publications, for example, "Census 2011: Ireland and Northern Ireland", "Visitors to Ireland and Northern Ireland 2014: A statistical profile of tourism", and the thematic report "Ireland North and South - A Statistical Profile".

The All-Island Tourism Statistics Liaison Group, which meets twice per year, is jointly chaired by CSO and NISRA and includes membership from the relevant agencies North and South.

As co-chair of the North South Ministerial Council, I ensure that the focus of Ministers is on the priorities for additional North South co-operation which they have identified in their respective areas of responsibility, particularly as regards assisting economic recovery, job creation, the best use of public funds and the most effective delivery of services for citizens across the island.  As indicated in the recent Programme for a Partnership Government, I look forward to the further development of mutual North South benefit, particularly through the ongoing work of the NSMC.

The National Economic and Social Council (NESC)has no specific MOUs in place with counterparts in Northern Ireland.