Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
65. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of engagement with the UK Government on the announcement of the resignation of the First Minister of Northern Ireland; the measures being taken to ensure continuation of the Northern Ireland Assembly and any impact that a change of leadership could have on the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24208/21]
View answerThe selection of a new party leader is a matter for the DUP, and it will be for the party's new leadership to put forward its nominee to serve as the new First Minister. In any scenario, we will of course continue to seek to have a good and constructive relationship with the DUP and all the parties in the Northern Ireland Executive, based on the implementation of existing agreements.
As I said earlier, I have been in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis. And that I travelled to London for a series of engagements with the British Government in April, including meetings with the Secretary of State, Foreign Secretary, and Minister of State to the Cabinet Office, and I met again with the Secretary of State last week in Dublin.
In all of these engagements, we discussed the importance of calm, measured leadership and of our two Governments working together to support the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and to build the confidence of all of the people in its vision for reconciliation, equality, respect for rights and parity of esteem.
It will be important that progress is also made to fully implement the NDNA Agreement, including those provisions to improve the sustainability of the institutions and the provisions regarding language, culture and identity. The Government will continue to work in support of its full implementation and to deliver on our own commitments.
We have agreed that we will hold a meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in June. The BIIGC is an important institution of the Good Friday Agreement, bringing together the British and Irish Governments under Strand Three of the Agreement to promote bilateral co-operation on matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments. It is imperative that we continue to work closely on a North/South and East-West basis in support of the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland and the NSMC, and the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent implementing agreements.
