Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with the political parties in Stormont the potential of the Shared Island initiative to fund cross border projects to benefit communities North and South; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3329/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am in regular contact with political parties in Northern Ireland to discuss matters of mutual interest, not least the urgent need for restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive. The ongoing work and future potential of the Shared Island Initiative is regularly raised in these meetings.

The Government’s Shared Island initiative, launched in October 2020, is working to engage with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future and to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation and mutual understanding on the island.

The Government has so far allocated €247m from the Shared Island Fund, investing in a more connected, sustainable and prosperous island for all communities on this island. These projects and programmes are being taken forward by Ministers and their Departments, working through all-island partnerships with counterparts in Northern Ireland and the UK Government and with education and civil society partners.

Allocations are being made from the Shared Island Fund to deliver on objectives under the Programme for Government and the National Development Plan. This includes moving forward with the Ulster Canal and bringing the Narrow Water Bridge project to tender stage; delivering on our commitment to invest in Ulster University in Derry; and developing the bioeconomy on an all-island basis.

We also want to step up cross-border investment cooperation, for instance, on educational attainment in Northern Ireland, on enterprise development, and through the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, which administered by my Department. I expect to announce further grants from the Civic Society Fund in February, and another round of the Fund will open for applications before the summer break.

The Government wants to do more. We would like to work with a new Executive and the British Government to take forward new all-island cooperation, including through the Shared Island Initiative.