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

Following the request by the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, and I, together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, facilitated a return of the five main parties in Northern Ireland to round table talks. The talks resumed in round table format on 21 September and are continuing in a constructive atmosphere. I have worked closely with the Secretary of State, Ms Villiers, in encouraging all parties to continue to engage in a constructive manner in the talks process.

As well as round table sessions, the talks are taking place in bilateral and trilateral format and good work is also being done in discussions between the parties themselves. The more inclusive the engagement, the better the final agreement will be.

My current assessment is that the talks have now moved to an intensive phase and we are making good progress around the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement as well as dealing with the legacy and impact of paramilitarism. The Stormont House Agreement, concluded in December 14, offers a blueprint for overcoming current difficulties in the Executive, especially around financing welfare reform and dealing with the legacy of the past. It is also crucial that the work started by the Stormont House Agreement on establishing new institutions to deal with the legacy of the past is completed so that justice and truth can bring what healing is possible to victims and survivors of the troubles and their families.

It is essential that all five main parties in Northern Ireland, with the support of the two governments, urgently advance full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and address the impact and legacy of continuing paramilitary activity. While significant challenges remain, I am hopeful that with committed and collective engagement, we can make real progress on the critical issues in the coming days with a view to a successful conclusion of the talks. An agreed outcome, supported by all five parties, would be an important step forward, not just for politics, but for the further normalisation of society in Northern Ireland.

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