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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Irish unity preparatory work

Summary

Ruairí Ó Murchú calls for preparatory structures and a forum on Irish unity and cross-Border issues, including taxation and transport anomalies. The Tánaiste says the Government is committed to an all-island approach and to significant shared-island funding.

Not for the first time, I raise the issue of Irish unity and the necessity for preparatory work. We need a forum to deal with the question of what a new Ireland would look like. I have spoken previously to the Tánaiste about cross-Border issues and he has spoken about the need for a hub to deal with these sorts of issues. Is there any movement in that regard? I have spoken about the taxation issues for remote workers. I recently spoke to the Minister for transport about taxi tour services working cross-Border and hauliers, around whom there is an issue in respect of the derogation for the generation 2, version 2 tachograph retrofit.

A considerable amount of shared island funding has gone into Magee College. I know a parent whose child is doing a healthcare course in that college but cannot get access to the Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grant because they are just above the threshold. They tried to get tax relief on accommodation but because the kid in question is going to college in the North, this is an issue. It is an anomaly. We are talking about a shared island and the issue needs to be looked at.

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Simon Harris The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. This Government is determined to work on an all-island basis on many issues.

It makes sense to do that. I have already been to Belfast and met the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and other political leaders. The programme for Government specifically commits very substantial additional funding to grow shared island projects in the years ahead.

I am pleased the Deputy referred to Magee College. It will be an incredible investment in education and third level education in Derry. The Deputy is right. As we come across these issues and anomalies, which I thank him for raising, we will reflect on them. I am happy to engage on a North-South basis through the ministerial council. I will ask the relevant Ministers to look at the specific questions the Deputy raised.

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