Taoiseach and Tánaiste announce new Future Takes interview series marking four years of the Government’s Shared Island Dialogues

Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tánaiste Micheál Martin and the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman, today 10 October announced a new Future Takes series as part of the Government's Shared Island initiative.

The Future Takes interviews mark four years of the Government's Shared Island Dialogue series, which has brought together over 4,000 civil society representatives across all communities and traditions on the island to discuss common concerns for the future.

Continuing this island-wide interaction, Future Takes features contributions from a range of prominent voices in Ireland, Northern Ireland and beyond, on how to build a shared future on the island of Ireland, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.

Contributors give their take on an overarching question: For a more reconciled island of Ireland, however it is constituted, what should we give and what could we gain in the years ahead?

Taoiseach Simon Harris TD said:

"I am pleased to announce the Future Takes series as part of the Government's Shared Island initiative. Some of our most-renowned artists and civic leaders, from all walks of life 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.

"I want to thank all of the contributors to Future Takes. They are adding to a vital societal conversation on creating, together, a reconciled island of Ireland for all communities, united in diversity, prosperity and solidarity."

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin TD said:

"We commenced the Shared Island Dialogues four years ago to hear people's ideas, questions, concerns, fears and hopes for the future on this island. Over 4,000 civic representatives have participated, from across all communities and traditions, and helping to shape our Shared Island initiative. The Future Takes series will deepen this island-wide civic dialogue on how we build a shared, reconciled future, founded on the Good Friday Agreement."

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman TD said:

"The Future Takes series continues our commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue as part of the Shared Island initiative. The series features compelling and thought-provoking contributions from a range of viewpoints on how we can work together for a more reconciled society on this island in the years ahead."

ENDS

Notes for Editors

Future Takes interviews are being issued online from 10 October at www.gov.ie/sharedisland/futuretakes and on social media.

Interviews are moderated by broadcasters Lynette Fay and Seán Rocks and feature:

• Colin Davidson, Visual Artist

• Rhiannon Giddens, Musician

• Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Composer

• Oona Doherty, Choreographer

• Samantha Barry, Editor and journalist

• Felispeaks, Poet, performer and playwright

• Vittorio Angelone, Comedian

• Owen Reidy, General Secretary, Irish Congress of Trade Unions

• Mark Pollock, Author, explorer and motivational speaker

• Jarlath Kearney, Government affairs and Ireland-UK relations media contributor

• Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, Barrister

• Linda Ervine MBE, Irish language and community activist

• Brian Dalton, CEO Irish in Britain

• Lucy Caldwell, Playwright and novelist

• Colum McCann, Writer

The Future Takes interviews explore key societal concerns, challenges and ideas for achieving a more reconciled future on the island of Ireland in the years ahead.

Inclusive dialogue with all communities and political traditions is central to the Government's Shared Island initiative:

• The Shared Island Dialogues have brought together over 4,000 civil society representatives across all communities to discuss common concerns for the future. Over 2020-2023, 20 dialogue events were held on topics including Education, Tourism; Sport; Rural and Community Development; Arts and Culture; Tackling Gender-Based Violence; Media Representation of the Island; Education Systems and Connecting Communities; and Accommodating National Identities.

• The Shared Island Youth Forum outcome statement was launched by the Taoiseach on 20 September 2024 at an event with 200 civic and political representatives from across the island. The Youth Forum commenced in September 2023 with 80 young civic leaders from diverse backgrounds nominated by civil society organisations from across the island. The Forum met 10 times over the following year to develop a statement of their vision and values for a shared future on the island of Ireland across themes of Opportunity, Sustainability, Wellbeing, Equality, and Culture and Identity.

• Engagement through the Shared Island Dialogues informs development of the Shared Island initiative and contributes to wider discussions on building a shared future on the island of Ireland.

The Government's Shared Island Initiative is engaging with all communities and political traditions to build consensus around a shared future underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. It involves:

• Unprecedented all-island investment, with a total €1bn commitment from the Shared Island Fund and a total €3.5bn commitment in this decade;

• Sustained dialogue with all communities on the future on the island; and,

• A comprehensive research programme to deepen understanding of the whole island in economic, social, cultural and political terms.

Further information on the Shared Island Initiative is at www.gov.ie/sharedisland.