Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputy's proposition that this is a serious situation. The Executive has not met for three months, which, ultimately, has implications for people's confidence in the devolution process. Both Governments, therefore, are anxious that the Executive meets again and that devolution of policing and justice powers proceeds. I take the Deputy's point regarding the St. Andrews Agreement. People gained assurances from it but one can see that others did not sign up to the complete programme, including the justice dimension. There is a certain degree of ambiguity there but, on the other hand, the stated position of all parties is they favour devolution of policing and justice functions. The Democratic Unionist Party has stated it favours this. This revolves around timeframe and confidence issues. In other words, people are anxious that, prior to devolution of these functions, there should be confidence. The British and Irish Governments are clear these functions should be devolved and they support that. We would prefer if that happened sooner rather than later.

I met virtually all the parties on 18 September to assess their perspectives on this. The position of both Governments is the parties within the Executive should first and foremost endeavour to resolve this issue. Strand 1 is one of the three strands that affect our overall sets of relationships. The parties should have the flexibility and the capacity to resolve this and other issues attached to it, which have caused friction and disagreement within the Executive, and it is important that they do that.

See this speech in context