Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There has been hands on involvement by the Government in these talks. From the very moment Dr. Haass and Dr. O'Sullivan were appointed, we were in contact with them. I met with them before they commenced their work and on a number of occasions while they were doing their work. Over the Christmas to new year period when the talks were in their intensive stage, I was in regular telephone contact with Dr. Haass, leaders of political parties and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. I spoke with Dr. Haass directly following the completion of his work. We are in continuing contact with him and with his team. I met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the morning of New Year's Eve following the completion of the talks. I met with her since then and I expect to meet her tomorrow evening. I met with the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister last Friday. The Irish and British Governments are committed to working together very closely. The Government supports the proposals that have emerged from the talks and would like to see them implemented. We will continue to work to advance progress on these issues.

See this speech in context