Neale Richmond
Question:33. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48883/22]
View answerThursday, 6 October 2022
Questions (33, 36, 41, 62)
Pauline Tully
Question:36. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the recent meeting that he had with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49083/22]
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Brendan Smith
Question:41. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in regard to the need to deal with legacy issues with particular reference to the need to implement agreements made previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48921/22]
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Sorca Clarke
Question:62. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement that he has had with the newly appointed UK Secretary of State regarding the outcome of the election and the establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly in Stormont. [49012/22]
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 36, 41 and 62 together.
Strong relationships and honest conversations East-West and North-South are at the heart of this Government's approach to Northern Ireland. To this end, I spoke to the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, on 7 September immediately following his appointment.
Most recently, I met with the Secretary of State at Hillsborough Castle on 28 September. At the constructive and positive meeting, we discussed a broad range of issues including the importance of an election of an Executive in Northern Ireland, the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, and the legacy of the Troubles. We agreed on the importance of the bilateral relationship between Ireland and Britain, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, and on the need for an improved relationship between both Governments.
We discussed the current challenges facing the formation of a new Northern Irish Executive, the Secretary of State and I reiterated that the 28 October is the legal deadline for the formation of a new Executive remains firm and that, if an Executive, is not formed, there will be an election. The system of government at Stormont is at the centre of the Good Friday Agreement and it is paramount that the institutions of power-sharing are restored. It is for the parties, and those representatives that have been elected by the people, to come together to get the Assembly up and running, the NI Executive established, and the NSMC fully operational again before the 28 October deadline. The Irish and British Governments will continue to work to support these vital goals.
The legacy of the Troubles were a central part of my discussions with the Secretary of State. I reiterated the Government’s position that the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill is not fit for purpose. I expressed the Government’s opposition to the Bill as a unilateral move away from what was agreed by both Governments and most of the Northern Irish parties at Stormont House.
I also remain concerned about the compliance of the Bill with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights and other international human rights obligations, which I communicated to the Secretary of State. I also referenced the strong concern expressed about the Bill at the Council of Europe.
The Government is firmly committed to making progress on this issue for the families and victims that have been waiting for too long for truth and justice, and will continue to engage with the British Government to make clear our serious concerns and urge them to reconsider their approach.
We also discussed the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. Our focus must be on finding solutions around the movement of goods from Britain to Northern Ireland - this is the issue of most practical concern to people and businesses. Working together, we can maximise the benefits of the Protocol and address genuine concerns. Both my exchange with the Secretary of State and a phone call that I had with the new Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly on 15 September have been positive.
I look forward to further substantive engagements with the Secretary of State, and with Minister of State Steve Baker, when we meet in London on 7 October at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. The Minister for Justice will also represent the Government at this meeting.
The Government will remain in close contact with UK Ministers and seek to strengthen bilateral relations with the UK as provided for in the Programme for Government. I firmly believe that by working together in a spirit of cooperation we can jointly find solutions to the range of issues facing Northern Ireland.