Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This process was one initiated by the Northern Ireland Executive. That body invited Dr. Richard Haass and his team to chair an all-party group in Northern Ireland to examine the idea of flags, parades and issues relating to the past. In the period leading up to its formation, there was a suggestion that there should be an independent chairman, possibly an international figure. The Northern Ireland Executive invited Dr. Richard Haass to chair the group and I welcome the fact that he has been appointed. The Irish Government intends to be part of the process and, following Dr. Haass's appointment, I spoke with him by telephone. I met him and made arrangements to have an ongoing engagement with him. As part of that process, I had discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The two Governments are involved through that mechanism.

See this speech in context