Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
84. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent discussions he has had with authorities in the United States of America regarding the appointment of a special envoy to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32400/18]
View answerSuccessive US Administrations have provided immensely valuable support to the Peace Process over the last three decades. This support continues to be provided by the current US Administration, as well as by our many friends in the US Congress.
The Government strongly appreciates the sustained engagement by the current US Administration, including by the US State Department, in relation to Northern Ireland and we look forward to this continuing into the future.
In this regard, the Government has indicated that we would welcome the appointment of a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland by the current Administration, as part of its continuing support for the Peace Process.
The Taoiseach and I have discussed the political process in Northern Ireland with representatives of the US Administration and we have raised the matter of the appointment of a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland during these engagements.
Ireland’s Ambassador in Washington and senior officials of my Department in Dublin are also reiterating the Government’s support for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland in their ongoing contacts with representatives of the US Administration.
Continued support and engagement by the US Administration and Congress will remain an essential support to the ongoing efforts by the British and Irish Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, to get the devolved, power-sharing institutions of the Agreement operating again as soon as possible.
