Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Only yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet a cross-section of civil society leaders in Belfast. Last week, I met in excess of 15 heads of business corporations in Northern Ireland. I share the concern that has been raised by Deputy Burton but I remain convinced that all the parties are willing to play their part in reaching an agreement which will provide for a stable power-sharing government in Northern Ireland. The Irish Government is co-guarantor of the Agreement and the peace process and will continue to play its part. While there will be no formal engagement over the next few days, I appeal for a level of informal engagement between the parties to ensure that when the talks resume after the Easter period, there will be a willingness on the part of everyone involved to ensure the setting up of an Executive and a functioning Assembly at the earliest opportunity for many reasons, including the reasons evidenced by Deputy Burton in respect of budgets, jobs and economic development in Northern Ireland.

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