Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
502. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which together with the UK Government, an all-out effort is being made to address the emerging situation in Northern Ireland which can have a damaging impact on the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21120/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe events of recent weeks in Northern Ireland have been of real concern for us all, and the Government has been in regular contact with the British Government and the political parties in Northern Ireland throughout this period.
The Taoiseach and Prime Minister Johnson have spoken and called for calm and dialogue, and I have been in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis. I travelled to London for a series of engagements with the British Government last week, including meetings with the Secretary of State, Foreign Secretary Dominic Rabb and Minister of State to the Cabinet Office David Frost.
In all of these engagements, we discussed the importance of calm, measured leadership and of our two Governments working together to support the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. It is vital that the Irish Government supports the confidence of all of the people in Northern Ireland in the institutions of the Agreement, and its vision for reconciliation, equality, respect for rights and parity of esteem. The achievements of the peace process must never be taken for granted, and we will continue to work to protect and uphold the Agreement in all circumstances.
Both I and the Taoiseach have also engaged with the leaders of the political parties in Northern Ireland in recent days, to hear their perspectives on events on the ground and the way forward. Officials in my Department have also maintained regular contacts with the Northern Ireland Office
It is vital that we continue to work closely on a North/South and East-West basis in support of the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland and the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and successor agreements. The British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) is an important dimension of that work, and a unique forum that brings together the Irish and British Governments on matters of mutual interest. We are engaging with the British Government through the Secretariat of the BIIGC with a view to setting an early date in the period ahead for its next meeting.
