Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
284. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on progress in the talks with the British Government and with the political parties in Stormont in relation to the re-establishment of the Northern Ireland Executive and Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39355/17]
View answer292. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the negotiations to allow the Northern Ireland Assembly to be reconvened; and the timeframe for when the negotiations will be concluded. [39658/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 292 together.
The Government is determined, as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to do everything in our power to ensure all of its institutions are operating effectively, including the devolved Assembly and power-sharing Executive in Northern Ireland.
I remain in regular contact with Secretary of State Brokenshire on how both Governments can best continue to support and encourage the parties in achieving that essential objective.
In the first instance, the two largest parties whose mandates entitle them to nominate a First and deputy First Minister need to reach an agreement to form an Executive. In this context, I welcome the intensified engagement between the DUP and Sinn Féin as referred to in the statements by party leaders Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill on 6 September.
These discussions continue and I believe that all parties are conscious that time cannot be unlimited in seeking the desired outcome. Northern Ireland has been without an Executive for several months, during the period when the Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK are focused on the unique issues relating to the island of Ireland.
There remain challenges and differences between the parties on specific issues, but I do not believe that these are insurmountable. I will continue to work with the Secretary of State and each of the political parties in Northern Ireland to support an agreement on the formation of a new power-sharing Executive for Northern Ireland within the mandate of the current Assembly.
