Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2015
181. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he proposes to meet the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; the issues to be discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19059/15]
View answerI welcome the re-appointment of Theresa Villiers MP as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, my working relations with Theresa Villiers have been very close and constructive, involving regular and in-depth engagement, in particular in the context of the Stormont House Agreement.
I had a constructive telephone conversation with Secretary of State Villiers on the day of her re-appointment, 11 May, on our shared priorities and the challenges that lie ahead. In particular, we discussed the crucial work that remains to be done in implementing the Stormont House Agreement. We plan to meet in Dublin in the near future to discuss these matters in more detail.
Last December the signing of the Stormont House Agreement demonstrated what can be achieved when the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive parties work together towards the shared aims of advancing the reconciliation agenda and building a more prosperous Northern Ireland. It is time to return to this work. I look forward to doing so in partnership with Secretary of State Villiers and in support of the power-sharing institutions in Belfast.
