Aindrias Moynihan
Question:89. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts that are ongoing to restore the Northern Ireland Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57729/22]
View answerTuesday, 22 November 2022
Questions (89, 99, 101, 110, 116, 139)
Brendan Smith
Question:99. 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 relation to the need to have the Assembly and Executive restored in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57736/22]
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Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:101. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions that he had with the present Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and his junior colleague since their appointments to their present positions; if he will report on the progress that has been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57824/22]
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Brendan Howlin
Question:110. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the actions taken to date by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to the holding of Assembly elections in Northern Ireland; the discussions that he has held with parties with a view to restoring a functioning Assembly and Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57821/22]
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Neale Richmond
Question:116. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his most recent meetings with the political parties in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57649/22]
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Peadar Tóibín
Question:139. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that his Department has taken to resolve the political deadlock in Northern Ireland. [57491/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 99, 101, 110, 116 and 139 together.
The full implementation and effective operation of the Good Friday Agreement and all subsequent implementation agreements is an issue of the utmost priority for this Government. It is of paramount importance that the power-sharing institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are allowed to function. The Government’s views on this have been clear and consistent. The people of Northern Ireland voted for, and expect, an Assembly and Executive that works for them. We know that families and communities will face enormous challenges this winter. It is essential that the voices of the people of Northern Ireland are heard, and that their Government in Stormont is in a position to help.
I remain in regular contact with the Northern Irish political parties, and will continue to do so, with a view to working towards the restoration of the Assembly and of the Executive. Last month, I met with party leaders in Belfast and discussed the importance of restoring the devolved institutions. I also listened to their concerns regarding the possibility of an unnecessary election at that time. I was able to convey these concerns, as well as my own, to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
In that context, I welcome the announcement on 9 November by the Secretary of State of his intention to extend the period during which the Northern Ireland parties can form an Executive on the basis of last May’s Assembly election. Furthermore, I welcome the Secretary of State’s commitment to provide clarity on a budget for Northern Ireland and on the ability of Northern Ireland Government Departments to make limited decisions essential to the continued functioning of services.
The Secretary of State’s announcement provides further space for early substantive progress in discussions between the EU and UK on the issues of most concern to people and business in Northern Ireland. I urge the UK authorities to make use of this renewed opportunity to engage positively, and with real urgency, in the knowledge that the European Commission has listened carefully to the concerns of people across Northern Ireland, including and especially Unionists. I see no reason why an Executive cannot be formed in parallel with these talks.
I urge those who are blocking the appointment of a Speaker, the First and Deputy First Minister, and an Executive, to allow the devolved institutions function. The decision of one political party not to participate in the Northern Ireland Executive risks undermining the faith of people in the potential of politics.
The absence of an Executive means that the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) has been unable to meet. The NSMC is essential to overseeing and developing North South cooperation on matters of mutual interest. It is important that an Executive is appointed so that it can continue to develop practical cooperation on an all-island basis.
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 have regular meetings and telephone contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton Harris. At our most recent meeting, on 2 November, we discussed a broad range of issues including our efforts to ensure that an Executive is elected in Northern Ireland. We also discussed the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well other key issues. 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. I have also met with the Secretary of State in person at Hillsborough Castle on 28 September, at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) in London on 7 October, and in Belfast on 19 October. The Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office, Steve Baker MP, also attended the BIIGC.
The BIIGC is a vital institution of the Good Friday Agreement. I welcome the renewed focus on the BIIGC from the British Government and I look forward to fruitful meetings of the Conference in the new year.
I firmly believe that by working together with the British Government and with the Northern Irish parties in a spirit of cooperation that we can jointly find solutions to the range of issues facing Northern Ireland.
The Government will continue to work closely on a North/South and East-West basis in support of the devolved power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland and the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and successor agreements.