Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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172. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15329/15]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Fianna Fáil Party warmly welcomed the Stormont House Agreement towards the end of last December. It is an important mechanism to advance a number of outstanding issues, including identity, the need for welfare reform to meet the needs of the less well-off, and making Government finance in Northern Ireland more sustainable. Many of the issues are ones we do not have the luxury of allowing to fester. Can the Minister provide an update on the progress made in the four months since signing of the agreement in advancing these issues?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The effective and expeditious implementation of the Stormont House Agreement remains a priority of the Government. In accordance with the review and monitoring provisions of the agreement, the second quarterly review meeting, involving the Northern Ireland Executive party leaders and the British and Irish Governments, took place in Belfast on 27 March, where I represented the Government. We reviewed progress made to date on the detailed implementation timeline which was agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive party leaders and the two Governments at our first review meeting on 30 January last.

I am pleased to report that significant progress is being made in many of the areas specified in the implementation timeline, including complex work on the establishment of the institutions for dealing with the past. However, I am disappointed that difficulties have recently arisen with regard to the welfare element of the Stormont House Agreement. It is important to ensure that these developments do not have a corrosive impact on the wider implementation of the agreement. That is why the Government has encouraged all parties to stand back and consider the overall potential benefit for the people of Northern Ireland offered by the Stormont House Agreement and to ensure that its potential is fully achieved.

The next review meeting of the agreement is scheduled to take place in June. A six-monthly update on progress on the implementation of the agreement is due to be published at that time in accordance with the review and monitoring provisions of the agreement. The Government remains committed to playing its part in ensuring the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement within the timeframe agreed.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his response. Is it assumed that no progress will be made on these issues due to the fact that the Westminster elections are taking place on 7 May? Has the Minister asked the Sinn Féin Party why it decided to backtrack on the initial agreement about welfare reform to which it signed up on 23 December? With regard to the devolution of responsibility for parades to the Assembly, has devolution taken place or is it intended to take place in 2015? The parade season will be upon us.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Notwithstanding the current election campaign in the UK, certain aspects of the agreement are still being progressed. I point specifically to the areas of agreement involving the preparation of legislation, north and south of the Border and in Westminster. I assure the House in particular that legislation incumbent on the Irish Department of Justice and Equality is progressing and I am in constant contact with my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald.

I reiterate my disappointment that difficulties have arisen around the welfare element of the Stormont House Agreement. Deputy Smith makes particular reference to one of the parties involved, namely, Sinn Féin. I have discussed this issue with Sinn Féin. I have strongly expressed the view that the implementation of all the provisions of the agreement are important, and I will continue to do so. I regret that difficulties have arisen in this area.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I want to refer again to the establishment of the historical investigations unit. By definition, it will deal with issues that are decades old. Many of the families affected by murders that were never properly investigated are getting to an age at which they are concerned that they will never see a thorough investigation into the murders of, and in many cases the injuries inflicted on, family members. I welcome the Minister's statement that legislation is being advanced. I appeal to him to make sure that both the Department of Justice and Equality and his own Department ensure that a number of cases that have been referred to the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland are forwarded to the historical investigations unit when it is established and its work is under way. There are a number of cases in my constituency and elsewhere where there is evidence that the atrocities emanated from north of the Border and there have never been full investigations. This is the last chance to get some investigation, which is so much needed by those families.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Government was not a party to the negotiations on aspects of the agreement relating to devolution and budgetary and financial issues. Ongoing discussions on these matters take place primarily between the Northern Ireland Executive party leaders themselves, but on numerous occasions I have called on the parties in Northern Ireland, especially Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party, to work together to find a solution to the current difficulties on welfare and budgetary issues.

I acknowledge Deputy Smith's interest in the historical investigations unit over many years. I assure him that progress is proceeding on the matter of the new independent body, which will have full policing powers. This will take forward investigations into Northern Ireland on matters relating to outstanding deaths from the Troubles, including outstanding cases from the PSNI's historical inquiries team and the legacy work of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. Regarding the specific atrocity referred to by the Deputy, it is my clear understanding that all outstanding cases before the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland will be transferred to the historical investigations unit.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Time is getting very scarce.