The Programme for Government sets out the government’s commitment to working with all communities and traditions on the island to build consensus around a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.
On 22 October 2020, the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, set out the government’s vision and priorities for the Shared Island initiative in an online address:
The government’s Shared Island initiative involves:
- working with the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Government to address strategic challenges faced on the island of Ireland
- further developing the all-island economy, deepening North/South cooperation, and investing in the North West and border regions
- fostering constructive and inclusive dialogue and a comprehensive programme of research to support the building of consensus around a shared future on the island
In Budget 2021, the government announced the Shared Island Fund, with a planned €500m to be made available out to 2025. The Shared Island Fund provides significant new, multiannual capital funding for investment on a strategic basis in collaborative North/South projects that will support the commitments and objectives of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Shared Island unit is examining the political, social, economic and cultural considerations for a shared future in which all traditions are mutually respected. Operationally, the unit is focusing its work in three areas:
The work of the Shared Island unit is guided by the principles of the Good Friday Agreement.
Key objectives for the unit are:
- delivery of the commitments on Shared Island in the Programme for Government
- strengthening social, economic and political links on the island
- the promotion of all-island approaches to the strategic challenges facing Ireland, North and South
The Shared Island unit can be contacted at: SharedIsland@taoiseach.gov.ie
