Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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540. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has recently met his counterpart in Northern Ireland to discuss common areas of interest in cross-Border issues in their departmental areas of responsibility; if there are areas that can be expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25618/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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There has not been an opportunity to meet ministerial colleagues in Northern Ireland, in light of the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

There is ongoing engagement by my officials with their Northern Ireland counterparts on a range of issues. For instance, the administrations in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK have co-operated on energy policy matters, including the establishment of the Single Electricity Market and its further development.

In addition, the Loughs Agency of the Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission is a North South Body established under the British Irish Agreement Act 1999 which operates under the co-sponsorship of my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland. It provides for the effective management, conservation, promotion and development of the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. It is also responsible for the development and licensing of aquaculture and development of marine tourism.