Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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15. 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. [19280/15]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Before Christmas the Stormont House Agreement averted the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive and legislative assembly, and impending financial suspension. At that time, Sinn Féin agreed to Tory welfare cuts, while the DUP agreed to progress on the proposals previously put forward during the failed Haass talks. At this stage, is the Minister satisfied with the implementation of the agreement alongside the established timescale for progress on different issues?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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We are now entering an important point in the implementation process of the Stormont House Agreement. A number of target dates over a range of the areas included in the agreement will arise in the weeks ahead. To achieve these will require a concerted effort and an intensive political investment from the Northern Ireland Executive, from the UK Government and from the Irish Government.

It is important to recall how far we have come already in terms of the collective achievement of getting the Stormont House Agreement over the line in December and the progress made since then in implementing it. Since the start of the year, the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive parties have held two comprehensive formal review meetings. In February, a report on new priorities for North-South co-operation was agreed at a North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Belfast. Officials from Dublin, London and Belfast are preparing the groundwork for legislation to establish the new institutions for dealing with the past and the Northern Ireland party leaders continue to meet on a weekly basis to take forward work across the broad areas of responsibility they undertook in Stormont House.

It is disappointing that difficulties have recently arisen around the welfare element of the Stormont House Agreement. The Government is committed to the implementation of the totality of the provisions of the agreement and it is important to ensure that the developments around the welfare issue do not have a corrosive impact on the wider implementation of the agreement.

Now that the Westminster elections are over and a new UK Government is in place, there is an opportunity and obligation to refocus our efforts to implement the next phases of the agreement. I spoke with each of the Northern Ireland Executive party leaders in recent days and set out the Irish Government’s views in this regard. This is an opportunity to demonstrate that politics delivers and to create a way forward on issues that have been a source of difficulty for far too long. I will also discuss these issues with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, when I meet her later today, following on from our constructive telephone conversation last week. There are challenges ahead, not least on the issue of welfare, but I am confident that, working together in good faith, the parties in the Executive can deliver the solutions the people of Northern Ireland expect and deserve.

The next implementation and review meeting will take place in late June, when a six-month progress report will also be published by the two Governments. I will continue to keep this House informed of progress in that regard.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his detailed response and welcome the ongoing work on the matter. It is important that the historical investigations unit be established as soon as possible as we are all aware of different cases - murders, bombings, loss of life and terrible injuries that have been caused to people - which have not been properly investigated.

We hope the establishment of the historical investigations unit will ensure that the British authorities comply with their obligations to ensure thorough and full investigations.

The Minister referred to the legislative work that follows on from the Stormont House Agreement. My recollection is that the Minister outlined in replies I received from him that the British Government gave a commitment to enact the necessary legislation to establish the historical investigations unit in 2016. Will the Minister raise the issue with the Secretary of State to ensure it is part of the legislative programme that the new British Government puts before parliament next week, in order that there will be no delay in implementing the legislation as soon as possible?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I would be happy to convey the Deputy's concerns directly to the Secretary of State. I will report back to him following my meeting this evening. I wish to assure the House once again that both Governments commit to full co-operation with all bodies involved. The Deputy mentioned the legislation that will be necessary to establish the historical investigations unit. The legislation is currently being drafted. Work on the operational detail of the historical investigations unit is currently being led by the Northern Ireland Department of Justice and the Northern Ireland Executive party leaders in consultation with the Northern Ireland Office, with a view towards the introduction of legislation in Westminster. My officials continue to follow this process closely.

As I mentioned previously to the Deputy, in most legacy cases, An Garda Síochána will continue to be responsible for investigations into deaths related to the Troubles in this jurisdiction where successful prosecutions have not resulted. I note the Deputy's concern about the meeting of the target framework of 2016 for the legislation. I remind him that we are still in the first half of 2015 and that the British Government was involved with electoral issues in recent weeks. Notwithstanding that, I hope the appropriate legislation will be drafted and published at the very earliest opportunity.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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As the Minister is aware, it is very important that the appropriate mechanisms be put in place to deal with the legacy of the past and that we try in some way to ease the suffering and burden that has been placed on so many families through the needless loss of life and the murder of so many innocent people over the period known as the Troubles. On 17 May we marked the 41st anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. Unfortunately, the British Government has not responded to the unanimous calls of this House in 2008 and 2011 to give access to the paper files it has relating to the carnage that occurred on that day 41 years ago to an eminent international legal person. I would appreciate if the Minister could once again raise this matter with the Secretary of State.

Could he also let us know whether progress is being made in regard to the new mechanism for parades, including the determination of applications for permission to parade in various areas?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I and my officials continue to monitor the situation with regard to parades very closely, with particular reference to north Belfast. Last year saw the most peaceful marching season in Northern Ireland for many years. I again encourage all stakeholders to build on last year's successful marching season. I do not underestimate the challenge but I believe it can be overcome through dialogue and mutual respect.

Another anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings has passed. I wish to express my disappointment that the appropriate files and papers have not yet been made available. I will, however, encourage the British Government to make the files available. I raised the matter on the previous occasion on which I met the Secretary of State. I understand the Taoiseach has also raised the issue directly with the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron. It is an issue to which I will return this evening in the course of my discussions with the Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers.

I believe it is important that we get full co-operation, particularly for the victims, families and survivors. It is important that we move towards eventual closure on these issues and the release of papers, documents and files is fundamental in that regard. I assure the Deputy of my continued interest in the matter.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Crowe is not present so we will proceed to Question No. 17.