Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

While I welcome the Tánaiste's reply, he has not given us any cause for optimism in regard to the resumption or restoration of the political institutions in Northern Ireland. The Tánaiste gave us a detailed briefing at last Thursday's meeting of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. As my colleague, Deputy Niall Collins, has said, it is most regrettable that we do not have a functioning assembly or Executive in Northern Ireland at this critical and crucial time in the history of our island. Similarly, it is most regrettable that the North-South Ministerial Council cannot meet. We are all aware of the value of its meetings at full council and sectoral levels. If those institutions were working on the basis of an all-Ireland approach to Brexit, they could work in the best interests of all the people of this island. Are the Tánaiste, his Government colleagues and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland giving any consideration to putting a timeline on talks? Deadlines are valuable at times because they can focus minds. It is clear to me from my interactions with my neighbours in Northern Ireland that they are absolutely frustrated that the institutions have not been working for more than two years. The assembly is not meeting to represent the people who voted its members into office in the first place. Has a date been set for further talks with the political parties in Stormont and the Secretary of State? A clear message needs to go out to the electorate in Northern Ireland and throughout this island that some urgency will be attached to such talks to try to ensure the political institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement are fully functioning, are working in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland and are working in conjunction with our Oireachtas colleagues.

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