Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 March 2007
104 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the timetable for the restoration of the political institutions in Northern Ireland following the recent assembly elections; if the institutions will return by 26 March 2007; the Government’s immediate plan in the event of no agreement being reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10503/07]
View answer105 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the outcome of the recent assembly elections in Northern Ireland; if the outcome makes the challenge of re-establishing the political institutions created under the Good Friday Agreement more difficult; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10505/07]
View answer130 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his most recent meeting with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; the issues that were discussed at the meeting; if the matter of British/Irish partnership arrangements to govern Northern Ireland were discussed at the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10504/07]
View answer133 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent meeting with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Peter Hain. [10390/07]
View answer145 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the state of play regarding Plan B and its implementation in the context of a failure of the Northern parties to agree on a devolved government. [10462/07]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 105, 130, 133 and 145 together.
The elections in Northern Ireland on 7 March took place for the explicit purpose of endorsing the St. Andrews Agreement and of electing an Assembly which would form a power-sharing Executive on 26 March in accordance with that Agreement. The outcome of the elections constituted a strong and clear endorsement of the St Andrews Agreement, and of those working for restoration of the power-sharing institutions. The next step to fulfil that mandate is the restoration of the Assembly and the Executive within the timeframe set out at St Andrews, i.e. by Monday, 26 March.
Both Governments are resolutely committed to making that happen. When I met with Secretary of State, Peter Hain at Hillsborough last week, we welcomed the outcome of the elections and reviewed progress in implementing the St Andrews Agreement, including on the question of financial support for a newly restored Executive. We also discussed the new British Irish partnership arrangements which have been prepared to ensure the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement to the fullest extent possible, in the event the parties fail to agree to share power by 26 March.
The new partnership arrangements have been prepared in the event they are required. Should that be the case, the Taoiseach and Prime Minister will meet shortly after 26 March to set out the new arrangements. However, we have made clear on many occasions that this is not our preferred outcome.
After four years of suspension, the people of Northern Ireland are entitled to see devolved government restored and their elected representatives working on their behalf in a restored Assembly and shared Executive. When they voted on 7 March, the people themselves made it resoundingly clear that this is what they want. The time for political prevarication is over.
The Transitional Assembly resumed its work on practical preparation for government following the elections. As preparations come to a conclusion we will continue, together with the British Government, to work intensively with the parties so that the Assembly and Executive can be restored on 26 March. We look forward thereafter to working in a spirit of partnership and genuine friendship with the new Executive, for the benefit of all of the people on this island.
