Seán Haughey
Ceist:16. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the president of Poland. [36706/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTaoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Ceisteanna (16)
Freagraí scríofa
I met the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, in Rzeszów on Thursday 5 September following my visit to Kyiv. We discussed bilateral relations between Ireland and Poland, as well as current EU and international issues.
Prime Minister Tusk and I also discussed various current issues on the European Union’s agenda including the nomination of the new Commission, the forthcoming Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of next year and improving Europe’s competitiveness and deepening the single market.
Much of our discussion focussed on the current situation on the ground in Ukraine, and what more the EU can do to support the Government and people of Ukraine. We also spoke about developments in the wider region including Belarus, which borders Poland, and Moldova.
On the Middle East I stressed to Prime Minister Tusk the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an increase in humanitarian support and progressing work towards a just and lasting peace based on a two-State solution.
Ireland and Poland work closely together through the United Nations and I expressed my appreciation for the joint work of the Irish/Polish contingent working in Lebanon.
Question No. 17 resubmitted.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Ceisteanna (18, 19)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:18. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the president of Ukraine. [36707/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Paul Murphy
Ceist:19. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent meeting with the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. [36725/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.
At the invitation of President Zelenskyy, I visited Ukraine on 4 September.
I was pleased to take this valuable opportunity to see for myself the situation on the ground, and to hear directly how the war is impacting on the lives of ordinary Ukrainians and humanitarian organisations. I also had political meetings with President Zelenskyy and with Prime Minister Shmyhal.
I visited the town of Borodyanka, north of Kyiv, where I viewed buildings and community amenities destroyed in the early stages of Russia’s invasion,
I visited the village of Hostomel where I visited the UNHCR Core Homes Project which is supported by Irish Aid and aims to build 300 modular homes for families whose previous homes were destroyed.
In Kyiv, I visited the Child Rights Protection Centre where I met with UNICEF Deputy Representative for Operations, John Marks, and Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Dmytro Lubinets.
We discussed the devastating impact of the war on families, especially on children, including those who have been abducted by Russia.
I visited the Trypilska Thermal Power Plant which was the largest supplier of electricity to Kyiv and surrounding regions before it was severely damaged by a Russian missile attack in April 2024. I was briefed on the impact of Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and what is needed to maintain a functioning energy system, especially ahead of the winter.
In my meetings with President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Shmyhal, I reiterated that Ireland will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
President Zelenskyy briefed me on progress on his Peace Plan, and what Ireland can do to help ensure high-level participation, especially from the global south, when the time comes for a second Peace Summit.
He also briefed me on the work Ukraine is doing to advance its application for EU membership, and I reiterated Ireland’s strong support for this work, welcoming the holding of the first Intergovernmental Conference in June.
President Zelenskyy and I signed a bilateral agreement on support and cooperation between Ireland and Ukraine.
This pledges us both to deepen our cooperation and partnership based on our common interest in defending global multilateral system and international law, based on the UN Charter, and protecting fundamental rights and freedoms.
My discussions with Prime Minister Shmyhal also covered humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, developing further economic ties between Ireland and Ukraine and the reconstruction of Ukraine.
I was also pleased to announce a further €36 million in humanitarian and stabilisation support to Ukraine for 2024. This brings Ireland’s support for Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion to €380 million.
The Department of the Taoiseach worked closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland’s Embassy in Kyiv and with the Ukrainian authorities on all aspects of the arrangements for the visit to Ukraine.
Question No. 19 answered with Question No. 18.
Climate Action Plan
Ceisteanna (20)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Ceist:20. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the 2024 Climate Action Plan progress report published by his Department on 3 September 2024. [36708/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of the Taoiseach prepares progress reports on the delivery of measures committed to under the Climate Action Plan.
The latest progress report for the 2024 Climate Action Plan (CAP24) was published on 3 September. It provides detail on actions that were due to be completed in Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of 2024, along with progress on delayed high impact actions from the Climate Action Plan 2023.
This latest progress report shows that 20 of the 33 actions set out for the first half of the year were completed by the end of Q2. Actions reported as delayed will continue to be pursued and will be reported on in the upcoming Quarter 3 Progress Report.
Examples of high impact actions completed, and detailed in the Quarter 1/Quarter 2 Progress Report, include:
• Publishing the National Biomethane Strategy
• Publishing the high-powered EV charging strategy
• Developing the Strategic Rail Review implementation plan
• Reducing the minimum number of large fossil-fuel electricity generators
• Delivering low-cost finance options for home retrofit
• Publishing a decarbonisation roadmap for industrial heat
• Establishing the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory
• Updating the shadow price of carbon
• Publishing a new Green Public Procurement Strategy
• Adopting 31 Local Authority Climate Action Plans, and
• Finalising a new National Adaptation Framework.
The Quarter 3 progress report is currently being compiled and will be published following consideration by the Government.
Questions Nos. 21 to 25, inclusive, resubmitted.
Cabinet Committees
Ceisteanna (26)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:26. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and Disability will meet next. [36724/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and Disability oversees Programme for Government commitments relating to Children, Education and Disability and receives detailed reports on identified policy areas such as child poverty and well-being, education and the reform of disability services.
Disability services are a key focus for me and this Government, and that is why I have established this Cabinet Committee.
The membership of the Cabinet Committee comprises the:
·Taoiseach;
·Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence;
·Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and for Transport;
·Minister for Health;
·Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth;
·Minister for Education;
·Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform;
·Minister for Finance;
·Minister for Social Protection and for Rural and Community Development;
·Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and,
·Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
The Minister of State with special responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion, and the Minister of State for Disability are invited to participate in all of the Cabinet Committee meetings.
Other Ministers or Ministers of State will be invited to participate as required.
To date, four meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and Disability have taken place. The next meeting has not been scheduled yet.
Questions Nos. 27 to 33, inclusive, resubmitted.
Northern Ireland
Ceisteanna (34)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:34. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach to report on the work of his Department's shared island unit. [36729/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Shared Island Initiative continues to progress working with all communities and political traditions for a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.
Inclusive dialogue with all communities and political traditions is central to our approach. Earlier this month, I launched a new Future Takes online interview series as part of our Shared Island Dialogues. Across this series, 15 artists and civic leaders from across this island and beyond, give their view on how, at this moment of opportunity and potential, we achieve more fully the promise of the Good Friday Agreement.
In September I launched the Shared Island Youth Forum’s statement of vision and values for a shared future on the island. The Youth Forum’s work will inform and inspire how the Shared Island initiative develops further as we work for a shared, and more reconciled society on this island.
The Shared Island Unit is also continuing its research programme to deepen understanding of the island as a whole in economic, social, cultural, and political terms. The most recent Shared Island research by the Economic and Social Research Institute was published on 18 October on Drivers of Income Inequality in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
On 16 September, I visited Derry and, as part of my programme, I highlighted a number of the projects that we are supporting in the North-West. I affirmed the Government’s contribution of €600m to the A5 upgrade and I look forward to its planned commencement as a vital safer connection for the North West. During my visit to Ulster University’s Derry campus, I viewed the site of the new teaching building that the Government is funding with €44.5m from the Shared Island Fund, to help expand student numbers in the city, from both sides of the border in the region and beyond.
I also, with the CEOs of Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland, launched a €3m funding call for the ‘Coast to Coast investment scheme’ as part of the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project to align and connect the Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route.
Over recent months, other Shared Island Fund announcements have included:
· On 14 October, a call was made by the Higher Education Authority for proposals under the second round of our North-South Research Programme, supported with a €10m contribution through the Shared Island Fund;
· On 16 September, €15m was announced for installation of Electric Vehicle charging points at 227 eligible sports clubs, across every county on the island; and
· On 9 September, €3m in support was confirmed for over 40 new cross-border projects that will contribute to climate and energy targets on the island, under our Community Climate Action Programme.
Questions Nos. 35 to 49, inclusive, resubmitted.