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

This week, yet another meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council could not go ahead due to a boycott by certain unionist politicians in Northern Ireland. In light of the Taoiseach's meeting this evening with the new leader of the DUP and, indeed, the new leader of political unionism, what will the Government do to reaffirm the commitments in the programme for Government to North-South relations, reconciliation and the Good Friday Agreement? The institutions of the Good Friday Agreement cannot be allowed to become optional. They are important to everyone on the island. I appeal to the Tánaiste to ensure that every effort is made to make sure that all future meetings go ahead and the spirit of reconciliation and engagement continues.

See this speech in context