Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 November 2014
34. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether he is satisfied with the commitment of all parties towards full participation in the cross-party talks in the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he is confident that agreement may be reached regarding the outstanding parts of previous agreements and whether they will be fully honoured and implemented. [44965/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 16 October, discussions have been ongoing in the political talks in Northern Ireland convened by the Irish and British Governments. These talks bring together the Northern Ireland Executive Parties and the two Governments, in order to address a number of key issues that have badly impacted on the reconciliation agenda and on economic renewal. These include budgetary and financial matters, legacy issues (parades, flags and identity, dealing with the past), institutional issues including the effective functioning of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, and outstanding commitments from the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements. The Irish Government’s interest in the talks is to ensure that the Agreements, and effective partnership government which is at the heart of the Agreements, work for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland.
Discussions have taken place on each of the streams, including on outstanding elements of the Agreements. The principles and values of the Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrews Agreement are essential to peace and reconciliation in Ireland and across these islands. As such, the position of the Irish Government always has been, and continues to be, that all outstanding elements of the Agreements must be implemented, and I have expressed this view during the current talks.
I have been encouraged by the constructive approach demonstrated by all parties to date in the talks. Productive discussions are taking place between the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive parties, in a range of formats.
It is clear that the talks have now entered an important phase in which renewed and intensified efforts are required to achieve a comprehensive agreement. Both the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Teresa Villiers, and I will be reporting to the British Prime Minister and to the Taoiseach respectively on the state of play in the talks by the end of November, and I would hope that we would be in a position to report significant progress.
