Brian O'Shea
Ceist:24 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the implications, if any, of the suspension of the Northern Executive for the continued operation of Waterways Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6306/00]
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.
Waterways Ireland is one of the six North-South implementation bodies, established under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, which commenced operation on 2 December 1999, the same day that power was devolved to the new Northern Assembly.
While the Assembly and Executive were suspended on 11 February, the agreement between the two Governments establishing the Implementation Bodies has not been amended and, therefore, all of the bodies, including Waterways Ireland, continue to discharge their functions as set out in that agreement and in the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999.
However, the suspension of the Executive and Assembly clearly has implications for the operation of the Implementation Bodies, not least because of the fact that the North-South Ministerial Council cannot meet in the absence of Northern Ministers. While each Implementation Body has a clear operational remit, they take their overall policy direction from the NSMC, which also has a range of other powers and duties in respect of the bodies.
The two Governments will continue to keep the situation under close review, in the light of progress towards the restoration of the Assembly and Executive, which remains our highest priority.