Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As we know, the British-Irish Council has a brief for the totality of relationships on these islands and can be attended by representatives of the Irish Government, the British Government the Northern Ireland Executive, and the Executives of Scotland, Wales, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey. The Good Friday Agreement also provides for a British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.

This met last week. It was attended by the Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice. It is great that the Taoiseach could attend the British-Irish Council, which met this month also. However, regrettably, not all the institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement are functioning at this time, notably, the Stormont Northern Ireland Executive and Northern Ireland Assembly as well as the North-South Ministerial Council. No political representation from Northern Ireland could attend the British-Irish Council as the Taoiseach said. It is clear the British Government, under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is committed to the institutions. Will the Taoiseach advise whether any progress has been made there regarding the re-establishment of the Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland following these recent meetings? I understand that discussions are taking place between the DUP and the British Government on post-Brexit trade and sovereignty issues. I am sorry for asking again but will the Taoiseach update the House on this matter? Has there been any progress?

Separately, I noted that the House of Lords rejected the controversial element of the legacy Bill this week when the Lords voted in favour of an amendment which would remove the so-called amnesty. Are there grounds for hope following the deliberations of the House of Lords?

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