Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The fact that both Governments are getting involved in setting up talks means that we are concerned about what has happened and what has not happened. The people voted for devolved responsibility and authority to be given to the Assembly in Northern Ireland, and that devolved responsibility was given. The problem was related to the working through of that authority and responsibility. Clearly, there is an issue within the Assembly about the implementation of the budgetary situation for Northern Ireland. It is not for us as a Government to get involved in the detailed discussions about financial allocations or the budget. As has often been pointed out, this Government and the Government that preceded it are co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement. The answer to the Deputy's question is "Yes", both Governments will be involved at the level of institutions and the agreements in doing everything we can to support their implementation, be it the Good Friday Agreement or the St. Andrews Agreement, or whatever. That is the responsibility and duty of the Government as a co-guarantor. When former US President Clinton visited Derry recently, he said that he was here 20 years and they should get on with the job. At last weekend's meeting, when I spoke to the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister, I made the point that the Government here had to make difficult choices in respect of the economy and the way the budgetary situation had deteriorated.

We still had to make those choices and impose really difficult positions on many people. The economy is beginning to improve and there are signs of confidence in many sectors. It is not for us to determine how the budget for Northern Ireland is to be delivered nor do I have any intention of getting involved in that. The answer to the Deputy’s question is yes, we will engage at full Government level, where that is appropriate.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, is meeting with the Secretary of State, Ms Villiers, MP, today. They have had many discussions in the past month. I hope they can put together a structure and agenda for the talks and determine when they can commence. At that stage I will be happy to engage with the Prime Minister in leading the talks and the appropriate Ministers will also be engaged. I encourage the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and everybody else to get involved in this, to see if we can bring about some improvement in several areas.

The Deputy is aware of Dr. Haass’s attempt at the end of last year to deal with parades, the past and flags. The US Administration is prepared to make some assistance and cooperation available here. The former Senator, Gary Hart, was in Northern Ireland some time ago.

We do not want these talks to be an interminable series of meetings where nothing happens. There are several priorities on a very broad agenda that should be focused on. I will wait to see the report from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Secretary of State to see where best these can lead. We are a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement and we will see that we play our full part in attempting to work with all the parties to move this forward.

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