Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his thoughtful response, as ever, on a range of issues that require deep attention from both him and the UK Prime Minister, the Head of Government of our closest neighbour. I wish to take the Taoiseach up on a couple of issues that are important in the context of their recent conversations. I welcome the fact they agreed on the need to meet in person as soon as possible. On that note, it is very welcome that the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is in Dublin meeting the Tánaiste and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, as we speak. I reiterate that it is of pressing need that the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference meet as soon as possible.

Last week, a meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council on the agriculture sector was cancelled and this simply is not good enough. We need the engagement of the Irish and British Governments, completely and intently, on the current activities in Northern Ireland. As the Taoiseach mentioned, he discussed with the Prime Minister the very worrying violence that happened on the streets of Belfast, Coleraine and Derry. There is a need, as we face into a period of potential confusion in Northern Ireland, for the British and Irish Governments to show leadership, and leadership has to come from the top. I refer to the letter from four former Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland of last week, in which they wrote that the British Prime Minister needs to take a personal interest and involvement in what is happening in Northern Ireland right now. I again call on the Taoiseach, as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to play that strong role with the Prime Minister, regardless of what may be happening domestically in the UK, to ensure that both Governments are fully invested in this process.

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