Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On Deputy Durkan's points, the opportunity does exist. The 25th anniversary is rightly to celebrate the courage of all those involved in arriving at the Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago and marking the fact a whole generation grew up in peace and not in conflict in comparison with what had happened prior to that. Equally, it is an opportunity to pivot to the future, and the appointment of Joe Kennedy as an economic adviser by the United States President, Joe Biden, is an important signal that the United States is anxious to support economic development and opportunities for Northern Ireland. The Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, has been consistent in saying to me and Northern Ireland parties that the Commission wants to support Northern Ireland economically and to create investment opportunities, in the context of the 25th anniversary. That makes sense and the shared island initiative has also been a positive development in dialogue, research and, above all, substantial funding for a range of significant projects and research between universities and for the Ulster Canal and so forth.

Deputy Moynihan made a point on the Windsor agreement. Time and space is being given and it is no secret that unionism sought a mechanism to deal with what it would describe as a democratic deficit in new EU law, EU law more generally and its application. It is taking a position in tomorrow's vote, which I find surprising in that context because that is why the Stormont brake was designed in the first instance. This was done in negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom Government. We did not get involved in that specific measure. However, we want to ensure the implementation of that Stormont brake was done in good faith to the agreement arrived at between the European Union and the United Kingdom Government, and consistent with the architecture of the Good Friday Agreement, which is important.

Deputy Haughey is correct that the negotiations are over between the EU and the United Kingdom in that context. On extra measures, we have to wait to see what happens and the DUP has to make a decision on this at some stage. That decision will be critical in the validation of the outgoing election.

On Deputy O'Connor's points, we have had quite consistent and regular engagement with the DUP and with all the political parties and their leadership. Everyone is conscious of the implications of decisions they take in respect of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.

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