Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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523. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of staff in his Department assigned solely or primarily to work on North-South issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21270/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My Department was established in July 2017 to deliver on the Government’s commitment to bring a greater degree of coordination and cohesion to all of the work of Government insofar as it impacts on rural Ireland and communities. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D., has the primary responsibility for leading on North South issues. Accordingly, my Department does not have any staff assigned solely or primarily to work on North-South issues.

North-South issues do impact on regional and rural businesses, as well as on communities. In this context, North-South matters are shared across different policy areas, rather than being assigned to a single Unit or to dedicated staff.