Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 15, inclusive, together.

On Tuesday, 10 January, following the resignation of the deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness, I met Deputies Gerry Adams and Mary Lou McDonald of Sinn Féin to discuss the developments in Northern Ireland. I then spoke by telephone to both Mr. McGuinness and the DUP leader, Ms Arlene Foster, to explore the possibility of a resolution to the difficulties. I urged each of them and their parties to engage with each other to find a way forward and avoid a collapse of the Assembly and the Executive.

Later that day I spoke with the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May, to discuss the situation. We agreed that our two Governments would continue to work closely over the coming period and that we would keep in close contact. We also agreed that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. James Brokenshire, would work together to see if a way forward could be found before an election had to be triggered.

I spoke to the British Prime Minister, Mrs. May, again on the evening of Monday, 16 January when it became clear there would be no nomination of a deputy First Minister and that, therefore, an election was inevitable. We repeated our desire to see the institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement operating effectively, in particular to have a fully functioning Executive in place as soon as possible following the election and the decision of the people.

As that election campaign gets under way, I call on all parties to enter into it in a calm and respectful manner. More than ever, this is a time for responsible and positive leadership. When these elections are over, whatever the results, the parties will be required to work together and with the two Governments to chart a way forward for Northern Ireland. The Government will continue to be very active in seeking an input into Northern Ireland's interests as we prepare for the Brexit negotiations.

I note that since our discussions, Mr. McGuinness has announced that he will not contest the next election due to his ill health. I issued a statement last week expressing my appreciation of his efforts to secure a lasting peace in Northern Ireland and wishing him and his family the very best as he deals with his illness. I am grateful for this opportunity in the House to repeat those messages.

I congratulate Ms Michelle O'Neill on her appointment as the new leader of Sinn Féin in the Northern Ireland Assembly and I look forward to working with her and her colleagues, and all of the parties in Northern Ireland, to ensure the stability of the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions into the future.

I have not had any discussions with President Trump regarding recent developments in Northern Ireland. I am also not aware of any contact between my officials and the American Administration on the matter.

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