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

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 9, 20 and 34 together.

The continuing absence of vital institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a source of deep concern for the Government, as it is for the British Government. The Government will continue to do everything in its power, in accordance with its responsibilities as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions.

The British Secretary of State, Ms Karen Bradley, and I met with the leaders of the five main political parties at Stormont on 15 February, further to our respective consultations with each of the party leaders in January. This meeting sought the parties’ views on how a new talks process could most constructively be commenced in the period immediately ahead. Each of the party leaders confirmed their wish to participate in the institutions again and provided views on the necessary basis for an effective talks process. It was agreed that the two Governments would engage further with the parties to seek an urgent way forward with a new political process that can secure an agreement for a functioning Executive and assembly. Following these further consultations, the Government does not underestimate the way to go in achieving a resolution, but continues to believe that this can be achieved and that there is an increasingly urgent need for talks to recommence.

The two-year absence of the devolved institutions cannot be allowed to continue. There are pressing decisions and issues across a range of areas which require a functioning Executive and assembly. The devolved institutions of the agreement are also urgently needed so that the assembly and power-sharing Executive can represent the interests of all of the people of Northern Ireland and address issues of concern, including the challenges for Northern Ireland resulting from the UK decision to leave the European Union. The North-South Ministerial Council is also essential to oversee and develop North-South co-operation on matters of mutual interest, as provided for under the Good Friday Agreement.

The legislation that was brought forward by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which temporarily suspends the requirement to call an assembly election, underlines the urgent requirement for all with responsibilities to do everything in their power to get them operating again. I am continuing to work with the Secretary of State and remain in regular contact with the leaders of each of the political parties to get the necessary political process underway to secure an agreement for a functioning Executive and assembly and North-South Ministerial Council.

There is an elephant in the room now, which is Brexit. It has been there for some time and has had a corrosive impact on politics in Northern Ireland. It has had a polarising effect in that, in many cases, nationalists are looking to Dublin and unionist are looking to London for protection. That is the exact opposite of what should be happening in the context of the Good Friday Agreement and the trust and spirit of co-operation and partnership that should be developing. That said, even with all of the pressures that persist, linked to Brexit and political choices that need to be made, primarily at Westminster, I still think it is possible for the two Governments to work together with all of the political parties to find a way forward and a basis for an agreement that can result in a functioning Executive again. As late as yesterday, I had a long telephone call with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the approaches that the Governments should or could take to try to facilitate re-engagement.

I know that there is scepticism, particularly on the part of Sinn Féin, about the efforts that are under way.

I can understand that, but we need to work together. I hope we will be able to meet the Sinn Féin leadership on this issue in the next few days to try to build understanding and trust around a new approach that can result in a deal being done. That has to involve all the parties. It needs to be a process that all the parties can buy into. We cannot have any party or group of parties vetoing anything. I look forward to working with all of the parties to try to find a way of making progress. The Governments need to take on the responsibility of making sure the next process that is put in place actually works. I do not think we can afford another failure.

See this speech in context