Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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5. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his most recent discussions with the secretary of state for Northern Ireland and with the British foreign secretary in relation to legacy issues in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40602/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Since his appointment in July, I have had a number of engagements with the Secretary of State on legacy issues. I spoke to him on his first day in office, and have met with him in Belfast and in Oxford. I also discussed legacy with the Foreign Secretary on the day of his appointment, and met with him in Dublin on 3 October.

I welcome the British Government's stated intention to repeal and replace the Legacy Act. What this means in practice and how this work can be taken forward has been the primary focus of my conversations with the Secretary of State.

I have also noted the Secretary of State’s intention to retain the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. In my engagement with him I have made clear that any framework to address the legacy of the past needs to command the support of victims and families. Achieving this will require a robust, thorough, and ambitious process, involving root and branch reform of the ICRIR. It will only be effective if it is advanced in partnership between the two governments.

As we take this work forward, the needs of victims and the obligation to ensure a framework compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights will remain central to this Government’s approach. The Government is committed to working with the British Government to explore whether and how we can develop an agreed approach on this fundamentally important issue. Conversations to date have been constructive, but more work is needed. Fundamental and meaningful reform of this deeply flawed legislation must be at the heart of our efforts.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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6. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline any new initiatives or measures that will be implemented to promote reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40603/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Reconciliation Fund, administered by my Department continues to make a vital and effective contribution to peace on these islands through its support for reconciliation based projects in a range of sectoral and geographical areas. The Fund continually seeks to broaden its reach in terms of organisations funded.

At the beginning of 2024, the Reconciliation Fund team engaged in a series of outreach workshops across Belfast, Derry, Armagh and online, to engage with both new contacts and established partners on how to apply for the Reconciliation Fund. In addition, the Reconciliation Fund team also attended a number of funding fairs throughout Northern Ireland, in an effort to encourage as many applications as possible, and broaden our funding footprint across Northern Ireland and the border counties.

As a result, the Fund received 42 applications from new organisations, and recommended funding for 25 new partners, out of a total of 138 recommended partners. This compares with 9 new partner recommendations in the annual round last year.

All projects supported by the Fund must be aligned to the Reconciliation Fund Strategy, available on my Department's website. The Strategy sets out the core aims and objectives of the Fund against the evolving context for reconciliation across these islands. A new strategy for 2025-2029 is in preparation at this time and my Department will be carrying out consultations throughout Northern Ireland and border counties in the coming months to ensure that the Fund continues to support our vision of a reconciled Ireland and that the strategy remains relevant, effective and efficient over the coming years.

In addition, my Department continues to play an active role under the Shared Island Initiative, including through its Shared Island Civic Society Fund, which I launched in 2023 to promote practical North South engagement and dialogue across a range of sectors and themes. To date the Shared Island Civic Society Fund has allocated €1.5 million to 55 cross-border projects, encompassing the environmental, community development, heritage, social enterprise and sporting sectors.