Skip to main content
Normal View

Northern Ireland

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021

Wednesday, 10 March 2021

Questions (442)

Brendan Smith

Question:

442. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the arrangements for further discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the full implementation of the New Decade, New Approach policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13310/21]

View answer

Written answers

One of the Government’s key tasks is to see the New Decade, New Approach agreement implemented. It was agreed that there would be regular review meetings involving the two Governments at Ministerial level and the parties to monitor progress on implementing the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement, and the delivery of commitments by each Government.

On Monday 11 January, I participated by videoconference in the first Implementation Review Meeting of the New Decade, New Approach agreement alongside the First Minister, deputy First Minister, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and party leaders in Northern Ireland. During that meeting, we discussed the progress that has been made over the past year on the implementation of our respective commitments, and the shared challenges we face in the context of both the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit. We reaffirmed our collective commitment to the ongoing implementation of the New Decade, New Approach agreement. It is hoped that we can arrange a second implementation review meeting in the period ahead.

I will continue to engage closely with the Secretary of State as we move forward on these and other issues. Regular contacts are also maintained by officials in my Department with the Northern Ireland Office, as we seek to work together on a wide range of areas of cooperation.

Top
Share