Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
140. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions that are taking place with the British Government on the implementation of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34923/18]
View answerFull and timely implementation of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement and the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement is a key priority for the Government, as reflected in the Programme for a Partnership Government.
Since the Fresh Start Agreement was signed in November 2015, this Government and its predecessor have actively pursued the necessary work to fulfil the respective commitments.
Progress in implementing the provisions of both the Fresh Start and Stormont House Agreements are considered at periodic Review Meetings, which are co-convened by the two Governments with the participation of the Executive. The last review meeting was held in Belfast on 14 December 2016. Unfortunately, due to the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive since the beginning of last year, it has not been possible to convene a Review Meeting since then.
Over the course of many months, the Irish and British Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, have worked tirelessly to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form an Executive. The Government wishes to see this achieved as soon as possible.
In light of this, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I are considering how best the two Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, can chart a way forward that will give the best prospects for getting the devolved institutions operating again without delay, including so that outstanding elements of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements can be fully implemented.
A key element of the Fresh Start Agreement relates to the ending of the legacy of paramilitarism. On 13 September 2016, the Irish and UK Governments signed an international agreement to establish the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) and it was subsequently given effect to by legislation in both jurisdictions allowing for the appointment of the Commission. The IRC will report annually on progress towards ending continuing paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland. These reports will inform future Northern Ireland Executive Programme for Government commitments through to 2021.
The IRC has been active in pursuing its remit and has had a wide engagement with a range of relevant stakeholders, both North and South. I understand that the Commission anticipates submitting its first report to the Governments after the summer.
The Fresh Start Agreement also provided for the establishment of the Joint Agency Task Force on cross-border crime. That Task Force was launched in Dublin in December 2015, and is bringing forward the operational actions in six priority areas that have been agreed as the focus of operations: Rural Crime; Immigration-related Crime; Excise Fraud; Drugs; Financial Crime and Human Trafficking. These priorities are, of course, kept under review. There has been very considerable operational activity, with a variety of different operations undertaken across all of the priority areas since the establishment of the Task Force. The Joint Agency Task Force is just one positive example of the extensive North-South co-operation that is undertaken between the police and other law enforcement agencies aimed at tackling crime and enhancing the safety of all communities on this island.
In relation to the elements of the Stormont House Agreement to address the legacy of the Past, Secretary of State Bradley and I are agreed on the imperative of now moving ahead with the establishment of the Stormont House Agreement legacy framework.
On 11 May, I welcomed the launch of a public consultation by the British Government on their draft legislation to establish the legacy bodies provided for in the Stormont House Agreement. This is an important step in the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement. The full implementation of the legacy framework provided for under the Stormont House Agreement will help to provide families with a means of accessing whatever truth and justice is possible in their case and will be an important step towards achieving a truly reconciled society in Northern Ireland.
While this consultation is about UK legislation to establish the institutions, legislation will also be required in this jurisdiction to provide for cooperation with the Stormont House Agreement legacy bodies and to facilitate enhanced cooperation by Irish authorities with legacy inquests in Northern Ireland. The drafting of legislative proposals for consideration by the Government and Oireachtas is advancing, led by my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
The ongoing work by both Governments to progress the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement legacy framework will be one of the issues discussed at the meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in London, tomorrow, 25 July. The work of the Joint Agency Task Force and the Independent Reporting Commission will also be discussed at the Conference.
As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government will continue to engage with the British Government to progress the full and effective implementation of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements, including the Stormont House Agreement legacy framework.
