Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the matters discussed at the recent north-south Ministerial Council, with particular reference to cross border infrastructural issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38060/25]

Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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38. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the further areas of north-south cooperation being raised by the Minister and his Department in discussions with the British Government and also at north-south Ministerial meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37867/25]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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41. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with Members of the Northern Ireland Executive concerning cross border issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38059/25]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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70. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his attendance at the recent north-south Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38154/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 38, 41 and 70 together.

The North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC), established under Strand 2 of the Good Friday Agreement, is at the heart of North South cooperation on this island. Since the restoration of the Good Friday Agreement institutions last year, there have been three plenary meetings of the NSMC, most recently on 20 June 2025. The meeting was hosted by the First Minister and the deputy First Minister in the NSMC Secretariat offices in Armagh.

This was the first meeting of the NSMC in plenary format since the new Government took office and since the publication of both the Government's and the Northern Ireland Executive’s Programmes for Government.

The meeting provided an opportunity for Ministers to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest and concern, including business and trade matters, infrastructure and investment cooperation, Mother and Baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses, and tackling gender based violence on the island.

As regards cross-border infrastructural issues specifically, items discussed included the A5 Western Transport Corridor project; the Ulster Canal restoration project; the All-Island Strategic Rail Review; the Narrow Water Bridge project; air connectivity between Dublin and City of Derry airports; the Carlingford Lough Greenway; Ulster University, Magee Expansion Project; the delivery of collaborative Research and Innovation programme; and the implementation of the PEACEPLUS programme.

The outcomes of the meeting are detailed in full in the Joint Communiqué issued after the meeting and published on the NSMC website, at the link below

Twenty Ninth Plenary Joint Communiqué - 20 June 2025 | North South Ministerial Council