Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
68. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his most recent meetings with the political parties in Northern Ireland concerning the need to have the Assembly and Executive restored without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39311/23]
View answerThe restoration of the devolved power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland, and the North South Ministerial Council, continues to be of utmost importance to the Government.
It is clear that the ongoing absence of an Executive and Assembly is having a detrimental effect on people, business and society in Northern Ireland. People in Northern Ireland deserve to be represented by the politicians that they elected in May 2022.
I remain in regular contact with the Northern Ireland political parties. I met a number of party representatives in the margins of the British Irish Association in Oxford on 1 - 2 September. This followed upon in person meetings with party leaders in June, and regular telephone calls, most recently at the end of July. In all these discussions I urged all parties to allow the restoration of the institutions, so that the issues facing people in Northern Ireland can be addressed. I will continue to engage with the Northern Ireland parties, and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in the coming weeks to support the process of restoring the Executive and Assembly.
The absence of a functioning Executive has knock-on effects on the operation of Strand Two of the Agreement. I am deeply concerned that the work of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) has been severely disrupted in recent years. In the absence of regular NSMC meetings, the two Administrations on the island are not having the important conversations that we should be having to address shared challenges and opportunities. It is vital that the Council is allowed to continue its work as soon as possible.
The Government is a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement and that is a responsibility i take seriously. I will continue to work in support of the devolved power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland and the full implementation of all of the Strands of the Good Friday Agreement.
