Tánaiste to update Cabinet on Troubles legacy agreement

Tánaiste Simon Harris will update Cabinet on the recent agreement with the UK on dealing with the legacy of Northern Ireland’s Troubles, including a Government commitment to provide €25 million to support victims and families over the next three years and a new dedicated legacy unit in An Garda Síochána by the end of the year.

The joint framework that was published by the Irish and UK governments at Hillsborough Castle on 19 September and the initial reaction from most stakeholders is that it has the potential to deliver, but that they will need to see the legislation and see delivery in practice.

There will also be a dedicated unit within An Garda Síochána as a single point of contact for cross-border cooperation on Troubles-related cases and for victims and families that is expected to be operational by the end of the year.

The Tánaiste will tell colleagues that the changes envisaged under a new Legacy Commission are significant and welcome and represent a step-change.

However, he will say that it will be important to see these translated faithfully into legislation by the UK government. The Irish Government may also be required to introduce legislation to deliver on some of its commitments made under the deal.

The Tánaiste will also update colleagues on plans to publish a new Ireland-Scotland Bilateral Cooperation Framework 2030 later this year.

There has been significant cooperation with Scotland in recent years including on areas like offshore energy cooperation; developing research and academic links; supporting cultural links; and supporting trade and investment, including the establishment of a new Enterprise Ireland office in Glasgow.

Separately, the Minister for Education & Youth Helen McEntee will outline to Cabinet the Education Plan 2025 Mid-Year Review.

It is understood that in the first six months of the year, what has been termed ‘strong progress’ was made across a range of actions and sub-actions.

The review found that 67% of the actions for delivery in that period were delivered.

It is expected that the remaining actions will be fully delivered by the end of this month.

Meanwhile, Cabinet will meet in Dublin this morning, with the Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien expected to seek approval to legislate for the removal of Dublin Airport’s 32 million a year passenger cap.

It is understood his memorandum to government is critical of the Dublin Airport Authority, which is charged with operating and developing the airport.

The programme for government contains a commitment that the Coalition will work with stakeholders to achieve the objective of lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport as soon as possible.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has been highly critical that the cap remains in place.