Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

There was detailed agreements between Dublin and London on how that would look and function. For that to function it needed legislation in Dublin and London. Any time that I asked about progress I was told that there was ongoing contact with officials in London. Even if we do not go as far as passing the Bill, we can publish the heads of the Bill and begin pre-legislative scrutiny. That is the very first step and a very non-committal step in terms of our legislative processes. It would show that we take this issue seriously, we are living up to our commitments in terms of Stormont House Agreement and that act in itself would put some pressure on London to follow through and act. Both Governments are co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement. We can point to London and to everything they are doing wrong but we need to reflect on the opportunities we have to nudge them along the right path as much we can. As Mr. Brecknell said, they have essentially reneged on the Stormont House Agreement, so I do not know how far we would get if we were to pursue that now.

Mr. Brecknell also made the suggestion that we seek the advice of the Attorney General. The Irish Government is a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement. We do need to know and the question is very relevant. I think it is legitimate, as a co-guarantor, to ask what international law can we rely on to enforce the Good Friday Agreement. I mean what power do we have as a co-guarantor to enforce that. Seeking that opinion would be very productive, along with all of the other things that we have discussed.