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

The effective and expeditious implementation of the Stormont House Agreement remains a priority of the Government. In accordance with the review and monitoring provisions of the agreement, the second quarterly review meeting, involving the Northern Ireland Executive party leaders and the British and Irish Governments, took place in Belfast on 27 March, where I represented the Government. We reviewed progress made to date on the detailed implementation timeline which was agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive party leaders and the two Governments at our first review meeting on 30 January last.

I am pleased to report that significant progress is being made in many of the areas specified in the implementation timeline, including complex work on the establishment of the institutions for dealing with the past. However, I am disappointed that difficulties have recently arisen with regard to the welfare element of the Stormont House Agreement. It is important to ensure that these developments do not have a corrosive impact on the wider implementation of the agreement. That is why the Government has encouraged all parties to stand back and consider the overall potential benefit for the people of Northern Ireland offered by the Stormont House Agreement and to ensure that its potential is fully achieved.

The next review meeting of the agreement is scheduled to take place in June. A six-monthly update on progress on the implementation of the agreement is due to be published at that time in accordance with the review and monitoring provisions of the agreement. The Government remains committed to playing its part in ensuring the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement within the timeframe agreed.

See this speech in context