Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 December 2017
38. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with civic groups in Northern Ireland regarding the need to have the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive restored; the outcome of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53164/17]
View answer52. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of recent efforts to restore the Executive in Northern Ireland; the implications for Northern Ireland of the ongoing impasse in the context of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53144/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 52 together.
As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government, working with the British Government, has spared no effort in supporting and facilitating talks on the formation of a new Executive, over many months. However, devolved power-sharing government can only operate on the basis of an agreement reached between the two largest parties. The other parties represented in the Assembly also have a critical role to play.
I am disappointed that, after several phases of negotiations in different formats, we still do not have an agreement to form an Executive. The issues under discussion go to the heart of the divisions in society in Northern Ireland and agreement on them was always going to be challenging. However, I have always believed that it remains possible to reach an agreed outcome which ensures implementation of previous agreements and reflects the core principles of the Good Friday Agreement and power-sharing itself - partnership, equality, and mutual respect. It remains my conviction that this is achievable.
The continuing absence of devolved institutions in Northern Ireland and of the North South Ministerial Council is all the more serious at this time, when the challenges of the UK exit from the EU need to be addressed. This needs to be done in a manner which protects the Good Friday Agreement and all of the progress it has enabled us to make in securing the peace and deepening reconciliation between communities in Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between Ireland and Britain.
The power-sharing Executive and the Assembly are responsible for representing the interests of all of the people of Northern Ireland, including in relation to how the issues arising with the UK exit from the EU should be addressed. It is imperative that the devolved institutions can urgently operate again. The North South Ministerial Council must also resume its work to oversee and develop North/South co-operation, including that commenced last year to coordinate engagement by the Government and the Executive on dealing with the challenges raised on an all-island basis by the UK exit.
I maintain very regular engagement on behalf of the Government with civic society across all communities and regions in Northern Ireland. The Taoiseach and other Government Ministers also visit Northern Ireland on a regular basis and there is extensive engagement through the All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit. All of this engagement with civic society confirms our view that there is an urgent need and demand for the resumption of the devolved institutions.
The Government has consistently affirmed our unwavering commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, and our determination to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions. The Taoiseach and I continue to engage with the British Government and the parties in Northern Ireland to give full effect to that commitment.
The Government is also continuing to work intensively, as part of the EU27, to ensure the protection of the Good Friday Agreement through the Article 50 process. The negotiations over the last number of months saw a good political understanding develop on all sides of what is required to achieve what is a shared EU and UK objective. Last Friday, we received firm commitments in the joint report of the EU Task force and UK Government on the protection of the Good Friday Agreement in all of its parts, including in relation to North South co-operation and the principle of consent, on the avoidance of a hard border and on the maintenance of the Common Travel Area.
As the EU-UK negotiations proceed, the Government will continue to pursue, with our EU partners, an outcome to the Article 50 process that protects our headline priorities and Ireland’s fundamental interests, including the protection of the Good Friday Agreement and the gains of the peace process.
