Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

77. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the initiatives he is taking to ensure the further implementation of provisions of the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37871/14]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Achieving the Good Friday Agreement and having it endorsed by the overwhelming majority of the all the people on this island were truly seminal moments in our history and gave us a whole new inclusive political architecture for the governance of our country. Sixteen years on, we need to have the remaining aspects of that agreement implemented in full, including the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, the Irish language Act, the North-South consultative forum and a review of the North-South bodies.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Smith. I do not disagree. As I set out in my previous reply, the Government remains committed to ensuring the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements, as well as the other agreements of the peace process, are fully implemented. The Government is determined that the potential of these agreements be fully realised to the benefit of all in the community.

In regard to outstanding elements of the Good Friday Agreement, I continue to urge all the parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly to engage in constructive discussions with a view to reaching agreement on the substance of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. A Bill of Rights drawn up by agreement between the main parties of the Assembly could set out precisely and formally the rights underpinning a reconciled society in Northern Ireland. Officials of my Department remain in ongoing contact with representatives of civil society on the issue of a Bill of Rights.

As the Deputy will be aware, the British Government committed in the St. Andrews Agreement to introducing an Irish language Act and to working with the Executive to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language. Since the restoration of the devolved institutions on 8 May 2007, the question of an Irish language Act for Northern Ireland is a devolved matter and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive and, in particular, of the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure. The Government continues to follow developments closely in regard to this proposed Act, as well as the overall enhancement and protection of the Irish language in Northern Ireland.

The Good Friday Agreement also provided for the establishment of an independent civic forum representative of civil society in Northern Ireland. The St. Andrews Agreement provided further that the Northern Ireland Executive would support the establishment of an independent North-South consultative forum.

In September 2008, the Irish Government submitted proposals for the role, format, membership and operation of a North-South consultative forum to the Executive for its consideration and facilitated three consultative conferences, the most recent of which was in January 2011. The Government awaits a response from the Executive. We have since raised the forum at each plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council. It was on the agenda for the most recent meeting on 3 October 2014 and will be discussed again at the next North-South Ministerial Council plenary meeting scheduled for 5 December 2014. I will continue to press the importance of implementing outstanding elements of the agreements in my discussions with the British Government and Northern Ireland Executive.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

Officials in my Department will continue to monitor these matters in their ongoing contacts with the Northern Ireland Office and officials of the Northern Ireland Executive.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's clear indication that he wants to see the momentum restored to ensure the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement are implemented in full. At the North-South Ministerial Council meeting last Friday, did the members of the Northern Ireland Executive indicate whether they are attaching any urgency to achieving agreement on the Bill of Rights, which needs to be drawn up and agreed between the main parties in the Assembly? Following the St. Andrews Agreement, responsibility for Acht na Gaeilge was devolved to the Assembly and the Executive, and also the North-South consultative forum. Over the years, Governments here have put forward proposals on advancing that matter. Are all these issues being held up by non-agreement in the Executive? Is the British Government showing any interest in implementing the remaining elements given that it is a co-guarantor, along with the Irish Government, of an internationally binding agreement?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Matters in the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly present ongoing difficulties and are in something of a gridlock, which is why the current round of talks is taking place. Notwithstanding that, however, I was impressed by the meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council last Friday. It was the first time I had an opportunity for such engagement. All party representatives and Ministers came with a spirit of constructive engagement. Progress was made over a wide range of issues, with particular reference to trade, commerce and tourism. I accept what the Deputy has said, however, and I assure him that it remains Government policy that the Good Friday Agreement, as well as the St. Andrews Agreement, must be implemented in full.

Among the outstanding elements are the North-South consultative forum, the Irish Language Act and the Bill of Rights. The agenda, format and schedule for the all-party talks are yet to be finalised but I will use all appropriate avenues to progress the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and I assure the Deputy of my determination, and the determination of the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Sherlock, and all my Government colleagues. I will undertake to report back to the House when the format of the agenda has been agreed and when the talks commence.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It baffles me why a North-South consultative forum could not be in place by now. Civil society does not threaten anybody. Civil society has also played an important role. In many areas of Northern Ireland where I have had opportunities to meet local communities, people feel they are not adequately represented by the political system. Civil society might assist in filling that deficit.

The St. Andrews Agreement provides for an expansion of the North-South bodies and prioritisation of areas in which further co-operation can be achieved on a North-South basis. Was there any discussion at the recent meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council with members of the Executive or the Secretary of State on the need to prioritise other areas in which we can make progress, and which would contribute to strengthening the all-island economy, growing jobs and providing better services for our citizens, be it in health, education or other services that need to be provided to the people on all of this island? Is any urgency being shown by the Executive or the Secretary of State regarding the need to prioritise more issues on which we can make progress for the benefit of all the people on this island?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I assure the Deputy that both the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I are actively engaged along the lines he suggested.

I stress the importance of the engagement of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock. For the first time in the history of the State we have a Minister with dedicated responsibility for cross-Border trade, economic development and commerce matters. He has on several occasions been actively engaged in Northern Ireland in Border areas. Next week he will attend a very important Chamber of Commerce initiative.

I take Deputy Smith’s point about the engagement of civil society in the advancement of economic and social issues. The Good Friday Agreement provides for the establishment of the North-South consultative forum appointed by the two administrations and representative of civil society, comprising social partners and other members with expertise in social, cultural, economic and other issues. The Deputy is right that we need to engage civil society. We need to ensure that we maximise trade, commerce, economic development, job creation and cross-Border trade over a wide range of issues. I assure the Deputy of my positive engagement in that regard and the positive and active engagement of the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock.