Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government is firmly of the view that all commitments undertaken in political agreements from the Good Friday Agreement onwards must be fully implemented by the relevant stakeholders. The Government remains committed to fulfilling all its responsibilities under the agreements.

The Deputy will be aware that the Good Friday Agreement, as well as the values and principles underpinning it, is at the core of the Government’s approach to peace, reconciliation and prosperity on this island. Implementing outstanding elements of the Good Friday Agreement, as well as the other agreements of the peace process, is a priority for the Government. Among the elements of the Agreement yet to be implemented are the establishment of a North-South consultative forum, a Bill of Rights and an Irish language Act. The Government’s priority is to ensure that the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement function effectively to the benefit of all.

I do not envisage that there will be preconditions or threats. I envisage an opportunity for all parties to come together with the assistance, encouragement and support on an ongoing and active basis of the two Governments jointly.

The St. Andrews Agreement provided for a review of the North-South Implementation Bodies and areas for further co-operation. The first part of the St. Andrew’s Agreement review is now largely completed. This involved examining the bodies in terms of efficiency and value for money. Part two of the review involved expanding the areas for North-South co-operation in line with the decision at the North-South Ministerial Council plenary meeting in November 2013.

As I set out in my previous reply, given the current political impasse in Northern Ireland, I am strongly of the view that these talks are necessary. As I said in reply to Deputy Smith, the format and agenda are yet to be agreed, but work is at an advanced stage to ensure all the issues, including those Deputy Crowe mentioned, are fully examined with a view to ensuring that normal politics takes place within Northern Ireland.

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