Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2021
258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the structures in place to facilitate ongoing north-south dialogue in a non-confrontational atmosphere in order to facilitate the ongoing needs of the peace process as envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement and the Stormont House Agreement. [30611/21]
View answer259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of overtures he has had from the power sharing Executive of Northern Ireland or the UK Government in the context of north-south-east-west continuation of dialogue envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement or thereafter in the context of the need to make progress in respect of issues arising. [30612/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.
The full implementation and effective operation of the Good Friday Agreement and all subsequent agreements is an utmost priority for this Government.
The Government regularly engages with and supports the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland through the mechanisms provided for the Good Friday Agreement, The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) and the British Irish Council (BIC). The Government regularly engages with the British Government, including through the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference and the British Irish Council. The Government is also in regular ongoing contact with both members of the Executive and of the British Government.
The NSMC is essential to overseeing and developing North South co-operation on matters of mutual interest, including the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. The important work of the NSMC to develop co-operation on an all-island basis has resumed following the New Decade New Approach agreement. Two successful NSMC plenary meetings have now taken place, as well as a number of Sectoral meetings at Ministerial level, and progress continues across the breadth of North-South areas of co-operation. It is regrettable that it was necessary to postpone the plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council scheduled for 18 June, and we will seek to find an early date for that to be rescheduled.
The Government also looks forward to enhanced roles for the British Irish Council and British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC), as set out in the Programme for Government.
The BIC, which is provided for under the Good Friday Agreement brings together: the Irish Government; British Government; Scottish Government; Northern Ireland Executive; Welsh Government; Isle of Man Government; Government of Jersey and Government of Guernsey to “promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of these islands”. The Government has participated in a range of BIC meetings this year on a diverse range of topics including: collaborative spatial planning, housing, and digital inclusion. On Friday, 11 June 2021 the Government attended the 35th BIC summit in Co. Fermanagh.
The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) is an important institution of the Good Friday Agreement, bringing together the British and Irish Governments under Strand Three of the Good Friday Agreement to promote bilateral co-operation on matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments. The Agreement provides for meetings of the Conference concerned with non-devolved Northern Ireland matters on which the Irish Government may put forward views and proposals. It also provides that the Conference may consider all-island cross-border co-operation on non-devolved issues. The Government will host a BIIGC on Thursday, 24 June 2021.
Members of the Oireachtas also engage with their counterparts in Northern Ireland through the North South Inter-Parliamentary Association, which is to hold a virtual preliminary plenary on 25 June with a view to holding an “in-person” plenary (hosted by the Ceann Comhairle) in September/October. Similar engagement with Parliamentarians happens through the British Irish Parliamentary Association, whose next plenary is scheduled for October 2021.
The Government strongly supports the Stormont House Agreement framework. It was agreed by both Governments and the political parties after intensive negotiations, and it should be implemented. Where, particularly with regards to legacy, the UK Government are proposing significant changes to that framework, we have made clear that these must be discussed and agreed by both Governments and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive.
The achievements of the peace process must never be taken for granted and we will continue to work with both the British Government and the Northern Executive to protect and uphold the Good Friday Agreement and all subsequent agreements in all circumstances.
