Cross-border cooperation on the provision of records and information on Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries was discussed today at a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Dublin Castle.
Taoiseach Simon Harris chaired the 28th meeting of the council, its second plenary session since the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive in early February.
The council oversees North-South Implementation Bodies and cooperation in areas of all-island mutual interest.
Mr Harris led a Cabinet delegation which met the Northern Ireland Executive, led by First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.
Following the last plenary meeting in Armagh in April, it was the Irish Government's turn to host.
Speaking after today's session, the Taoiseach said that climate change and biodiversity would be on the agenda in all future North South meetings.
"It's really important to work together across the island on these issues and we've agreed to keep the topic of climate change on the agenda of all sectoral meetings.
"We also had an important discussion on Mother and Baby institutions and Magadelene Laundries and workhouses.
"There is work underway in the North in relation to this, and for our part we remain committed to working closely and cooperating and collaborating in any way we usefully can."
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Michelle O'Neill emphasised the importance of collaboration on Mother and Baby Homes.
"This is one of those crucial areas that we need to cooperate on in terms of sharing records and ensuring there is protection of those records and ensuring that when it comes to redress payments, that these do not impact on other incomes people have."
All the political leaders in attendance said that cross-border cooperation was working really well, and that a lot of progress was been made since the restoration of the Northern Executive.
Emma Little-Pengelly said that today's meeting was a very positive engagement.
"The word of the month seems to be 'reset' and the Republic of Ireland is our closest neighbour, and building good relationships is important.
"Over the last number of years there have been fractures in the relationships and we want to build those better, North and South, for the benefit of all."
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said that cross-border agencies are working really well.
"The infrastructural development is really significant, the shared island contribution to that is quite significant and we're beginning to see traction on the ground with the Ulster Canal development, the commencement of Narrow Water Bridge, but also significant research collaboration for mutual benefit between universities and third level institutions North and South".
Progress on the A5 road to which the Goverment has committed €600 million was also acknowledged.
Cordial greetings ahead of meeting of North South Ministerial Council in @DublinCastle.
— Joe Mag Raollaigh (@joemagraollaigh) September 13, 2024
Taoiseach, Tánaiste & Ministers meeting First Minister @moneillsf & Deputy First Minister @little_pengelly & members of Northern Executive. More later on @rtenews pic.twitter.com/91CPHNJnX2
Simon Harris has attended council meetings in the past but today is his first time hosting as Taoiseach.
"I will use this opportunity to emphasise my commitment, as Taoiseach, to strengthening North-South consultation, co-operation and action," he said in advance of today's session.
"In recent months, we have seen milestones reached on a number of North-South and all-island projects, such as the Narrow Water Bridge and the Ulster Canal.
"There is an opportunity now through political engagement across Government with Northern Ireland Executive counterparts, to identify where further we can more effectively improve day-to-day life and opportunity on this island through practical North-South co-operation."
The North South Ministerial Council was set up under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and is charged with developing all island and cross-border cooperation and actions.
The council oversees a number of North South bodies and all-island activity across a range of areas such as health, transport, agriculture and tourism.
Meetings did not happen while power-sharing in Northern Ireland was suspended but have resumed since the Northern Executive was restored.
Additional reporting: Mícheál Lehane
