Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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136. To ask the Taoiseach if he is preparing any proposals on North-South infrastructure for discussion with Northern Ireland's First Minister. [30722/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Government outlined its commitment to supporting North-South development in the Capital Investment Plan 2016 - 2021, and in the Programme for a Partnership Government.

The "Fresh Start Agreement" negotiated in 2015 also sets out the Irish Government commitment to investing in infrastructure to support North-South cooperation to help unlock the full potential of the economies of both jurisdictions.

On foot of the Fresh Start Agreement, a group of senior officials from the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive have been meeting regularly to maintain a strategic overview of economic and infrastructural investment, particularly with regard to the projects set out in Fresh Start.

This group is also considering opportunities for sourcing further investment for all-island infrastructure projects for mutual benefit, including through PPPs, EU funding and other non-Exchequer sources.

I will discuss progress on this with the First and deputy First Minister at the next meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in Armagh on 18 November.