Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2017
176. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his discussions to date with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the political parties represented in the Northern Ireland Assembly regarding the urgent need to restore the Northern Ireland Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14545/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra178. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the particular challenges and difficulties arising for all of the island due to Brexit are part of the discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the political parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly regarding the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14547/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 178 together.
Following the Assembly election, I spoke on 5 March with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and the Taoiseach spoke with Prime Minister May. Both Governments agreed on the need for intensive engagement to address outstanding issues and commitments to ensure the early establishment of an Executive.
As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, both Governments have a role to play in supporting the effective operation of the devolved institutions, and in upholding both the letter and the spirit of the Agreement as a whole, in the interests of all in Northern Ireland.
In this context I am representing the Government in the ongoing talks at Stormont Castle. The discussions are focused on addressing outstanding issues, including the implementation of past agreements and addressing the legacy of the past, as well as on the formation of a new power-sharing Executive. Both parts of these discussions are essential and inter-dependent.
All parties have shown a willingness to engage on the key issues. However, there is a limited timeframe for the formation of a new Executive. In the time remaining, all sides, including the two Governments and the parties, will have to work hard and with a spirit of compromise, to achieve the collective objective of re-establishing the power-sharing institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.
Particular responsibilities attach to the parties who are entitled to nominate a First Minister and deputy First Minister to engage with each other, and to advance discussions with the other political parties, on the formation of a new Executive.
As part of my engagement with the Secretary of State and with each of the parties in the current discussions, I have emphasised the critical importance of forming a new Executive so that Northern Ireland’s interests can be represented as effectively as possible in the preparations for the EU-UK negotiations. I very much hope that the new Executive will be in place as soon as possible so that it can directly represent the interests of the people of Northern Ireland in these vital negotiations.
The interests of the island as a whole and protecting the gains of the peace process will remain a priority for the Government in the upcoming EU-UK negotiations and the Government will continue to be proactive in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland, including through engagement with the Northern Ireland parties. The Government’s All-Island Civic Dialogue is also a central strand of our approach to preparing for and managing Brexit.
I expect to be intensively engaged this week in Belfast, working with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the political parties to see the power-sharing Assembly and Executive restored to effective and harmonious operation. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement the Government is determined to uphold the principles of the Agreement and to protect its institutions.
