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

I place on record my appreciation of Deputy Crowe's comments on the talks. I acknowledge the positive engagement on the part of his party and the very important role the Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness, MLA, will play in the process. I assure Deputies that the Government will continue to use all appropriate avenues to progress implementation of the outstanding elements of the Agreement. I refer specifically to the matters of a Bill of Rights, the civic forum and the Irish Language Act. I have already taken up these issues directly with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Villiers, MP, and will continue to do so. I hope these issues will form an integral part of the talks process once they get under way in Belfast later this month.

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