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

I very much welcome today's debate on Northern Ireland. I acknowledge the contributions of Members across the House, which have captured not only the challenges but the opportunities that Northern Ireland faces. I agree with Deputies Gerry Adams and Mary Lou McDonald that we need to have more frequent debates in the House and I disagree with Deputy Shane Ross in that regard. I would like us to have at least one plenary debate on Northern Ireland every session and would be more than happy to consult with Opposition spokespersons and the Chief Whip on it. One of the Oireachtas committees is devoted to dealing with matters pertaining to Northern Ireland and I acknowledge the work of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and its Chairman. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, which I regularly attend, also has a mandate in that regard.

Based on the debate, while we may differ at times in our analysis and prescriptions, we hold a common conviction that leadership is required to ensure the full realisation of peace, prosperity and political stability which was the fundamental commitment and promise of the Good Friday Agreement 17 years ago, that the Government is ambitious in its a vision for Northern Ireland and North-South relations. We spoke about close ties, economic co-operation and shared services, which will result in a dividend for all the people on this island. In recent times, we have already tapped into this potential in terms of joint trade missions, shared health services, joint applications for EU funding, joined up policies in agriculture, animal health and other areas, tourism promotion, joint bids for top-class world sporting events and much more. We will continue to work to enhance further co-operation across a range of issues.

I very much agree with the earlier comments by my predecessor, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, that we should consider practical steps we can take to build further over a range of issues to develop an all-island economy. We want to support and be a good neighbour to a vibrant and forward-looking Northern Ireland with stable, effective partnership Government and a society with tolerance and respect for human rights at its very core. We want to ensure the principles and ethos of the Good Friday Agreement remain the lifeblood of the ongoing process of peace and reconciliation on this island. These principles must shape political action, not just political rhetoric.

The challenges for Northern Ireland are numerous and significant and there is no panacea. However, I guarantee that any solutions must have in common two essential qualities, namely, generosity of purpose and honest engagement. Whether the task at hand is to resolve a long-standing parading dispute or identity issues more generally or to find a workable resolution to the deadlock around welfare, there must be a genuine desire to find agreement, otherwise it is merely a sterile game of blame avoidance and political calculation.

I refer to a comment by Deputy Mary Lou McDonald and others on the current budgetary and welfare impasse. While I recognise that not all fiscal powers are held by the Northern Ireland Assembly, there are degrees of responsibility which all parties in the North must accept.

Despite what Deputy Adams said, unemployment in Northern Ireland rose over the summer, a matter of concern. As Deputy Martin said, a point which even Deputy McDonald acknowledged, 46% of children in west Belfast live in poverty. I welcome Deputy McDonald’s statement that Sinn Féin will continue to do all it can to help reach agreement on the outstanding budgetary and financial issues. I look forward to listening to positive proposals on how the Northern Ireland economy might grow and engaging with Sinn Féin in this regard.

Deputies Ross, Clare Daly and Wallace raised the current issues pertaining to the sale of a portfolio of loans in Northern Ireland by the National Asset Management Agency. These serious allegations have been considered by the Committee of Public Accounts, and the Northern Ireland Assembly finance committee is holding hearings on these matters. The allegations are subject to a criminal investigation in Northern Ireland. The UK’s National Crime Agency announced that, at the request of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, it will investigate the sale of Northern Ireland loans owned by NAMA. I hope these hearings and investigations provide clarity on the serious issues raised. If Deputies Wallace, Clare Daly or Ross or anybody else has evidence, I urge them to pass on that information to the appropriate authorities. I assure Deputy Ross that An Garda Síochána will co-operate, as it does over a range of matters, with the appropriate UK authorities on this issue if required to do so.

Dialogue remains essential in finding solutions. Turning up for dialogue is important but it is not enough. Genuine engagement and dialogue in good faith is required. Talks, whether at community or political level, have little value if they are used as an opportunity not to listen but simply to restate long-standing positions. More honest conversation and less grandstanding will be necessary ingredients to any viable solution to Northern Ireland's most pressing problems. We must deny the cynics, the opportunists and those who exploit crises to meet their own socially destructive ends. As Deputy Smith said, politics must work and must be seen to work. Political and community leaders need to recognise the impact their engagement, or lack of engagement, has on the ground. Time and again failure of leadership has created vacuums that have been filled by those at the very extremes who have no interest in stability.

Deputy Martin referred to recent polling in Northern Ireland which demonstrated the degree of disengagement among the electorate. It would be a tragedy if the continuing impasse over welfare and budgetary matters had the collateral effect of squandering a significant opportunity to advance progress on the deeply sensitive issue of dealing with the past. I implore all those committed to valuing the promise of the Good Friday Agreement to provide leadership to the people of Northern Ireland which they so desperately yearn and clearly deserve. The Irish Government will continue to support and encourage those parties who by their actions are genuinely committed to partnership politics on this island.

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