Cathal Crowe
Question:92. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his assessment of the outcome of the Assembly elections in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22649/22]
View answerTuesday, 10 May 2022
Questions (92)
Written answers
The people of Northern Ireland came out in sizeable numbers to take part in the democratic process and to make their voices heard. It is now for the parties to work together to form an Executive to serve all of the people of Northern Ireland.
It is important, in the first instance, to acknowledge everyone that contested the election and congratulate those who have been elected.
It will take time to assess the full implications of the election results. However, two things are immediately striking. Firstly, the fact that, for the first time, a nationalist party, Sinn Féin, are entitled to nominate the First Minister. Secondly, there is the growth in the number of MLAs elected representing the Alliance Party, who designate as neither nationalist nor unionist.
In the period immediately following the election, it is for the political parties to come together to negotiate a Programme for Government and form an Executive, as the elected representatives of their constituencies. The Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Act, enacted by the UK Government in 2022, gives effect to the stability provisions of the New Decade, New Approach agreement. The Act provides for a period of six weeks following the first meeting of the Assembly for the Northern Irish parties to form an Executive, followed by a further eighteen week period. However, the results of the election show a clear desire for a functioning and effective Assembly and Executive, and it is to be hoped that the parties will form an Executive as swiftly as possible.
I would like to see the early establishment of an Executive.
While there are challenges around the Protocol, discussions on the application of the Protocol proceeded previously in parallel with the work of the Assembly and the Executive. They can do so again. Those discussions should not be an impediment to the formation of the Executive.
I and my officials have remained and continue to remain in regular contact with the parties in Northern Ireland. I am also in frequent contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
We will continue to engage with the parties and the British Government, to support the full functioning of the democratic institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. I hope that we will see the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement up and running as soon as possible. I will continue to remain in contact with the Secretary of State, as both Governments work in partnership as co-guarantors of the Agreement, in support of power-sharing and a peaceful and prosperous future for all the people of Northern Ireland.