Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy knows, today is the last day to establish an Executive in Northern Ireland and to give effect to the outcome of last May's assembly election. If the Executive is not formed, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is required by law to call an election. However, we believe Northern Ireland does not need a new election. It had an election 24 weeks ago and the results were clear and should be honoured.

What Northern Ireland needs is a functioning assembly and a functioning Executive to give effect to that choice and provide leadership during the difficult period ahead, so every effort should be made to avoid an unwanted election. There is a last chance to do so and all that is required is for one political party to stop blocking the formation of the Executive. The decision of one party to block the operation of the Northern Ireland Executive runs counter to democracy and risks undermining the faith of the people in the potential for democratic politics to respond to their needs.

In the event that there is a sustained period without functioning institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, as the Taoiseach said yesterday, there cannot be a return to the direct rule arrangements of the past. The Good Friday Agreement recognises the need for close consultation between the Irish and British Governments on matters pertaining to Northern Ireland. The Irish Government will fully pursue its consultative role under the Good Friday Agreement should this arise and will exhaust every possibility within the framework of an agreement if there is a sustained period of no Executive and no assembly.

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