Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The most recent meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin on 2 November provided an opportunity for the two Governments to continue our discussions on legacy issues, security co-operation, east-west matters, on which I will go into a bit more detail, and political stability in Northern Ireland. It was co-chaired by myself and David Lidington, and the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, was there as well as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley.

One of the key items discussed at this meeting was a joint paper prepared by Irish and British officials which outlined a number of possible models to maintain and strengthen the high level of bilateral co-operation between Ireland and the UK after it leaves the European Union. The conference agreed that new structures for systemic bilateral co-operation would demonstrate the strength and depth of the relationship, provide opportunities for Ministers and officials to continue to engage with each other, and provide an overall architecture for co-operation that is both meaningful and sustainable in the future.

It was agreed that new structures should include summits involving Heads of Government and senior Ministers in addition to ongoing sectoral work at ministerial level. Officials have been tasked with preparing a fully worked-through proposal for future east-west co-operation for consideration at the next intergovernmental conference which we agreed for the spring of next year.

The conference also provided an opportunity to discuss the ongoing political impasse in Northern Ireland, and the two Governments reiterated our shared commitment to securing the full operation of all the Good Friday Agreement institutions at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, to date, it has not proved possible to reach an agreement on the formation of an Executive, despite intensive efforts by both Governments. I am engaging with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how the two Governments can most effectively secure the operation of the institutions, and we are also continuing contacts with the political parties to seek a way forward. All parties have reaffirmed their commitment to operating the devolved institutions and have provided views on their key concerns and issues.

See this speech in context