Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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100. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made in the all-party talks in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37185/15]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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In recent weeks and months in Northern Ireland we have seen political instability reach a significant peak in the form of budgetary clashes on welfare reform and following more recent revelations on the assessment of the structure, role and purpose of paramilitary organisations by the PSNI and MI5. The political stalemate and the wider political and societal instability it fosters must not be allowed to continue. Every effort needs to be made by the participants, in particular the Irish Government, in its particular role of co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to put the peace process on a permanent and sustainable footing and ensure the all-party talks will result in a successful outcome. I wish the Minister, the British Government and all the parties every success in these very important talks which should be nearing a conclusion.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Following the request by the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, and I, together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, facilitated a return of the five main parties in Northern Ireland to round table talks. The talks resumed in round table format on 21 September and are continuing in a constructive atmosphere. I have worked closely with the Secretary of State, Ms Villiers, in encouraging all parties to continue to engage in a constructive manner in the talks process.

As well as round table sessions, the talks are taking place in bilateral and trilateral format and good work is also being done in discussions between the parties themselves. The more inclusive the engagement, the better the final agreement will be.

My current assessment is that the talks have now moved to an intensive phase and we are making good progress around the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement as well as dealing with the legacy and impact of paramilitarism. The Stormont House Agreement, concluded in December 14, offers a blueprint for overcoming current difficulties in the Executive, especially around financing welfare reform and dealing with the legacy of the past. It is also crucial that the work started by the Stormont House Agreement on establishing new institutions to deal with the legacy of the past is completed so that justice and truth can bring what healing is possible to victims and survivors of the troubles and their families.

It is essential that all five main parties in Northern Ireland, with the support of the two governments, urgently advance full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and address the impact and legacy of continuing paramilitary activity. While significant challenges remain, I am hopeful that with committed and collective engagement, we can make real progress on the critical issues in the coming days with a view to a successful conclusion of the talks. An agreed outcome, supported by all five parties, would be an important step forward, not just for politics, but for the further normalisation of society in Northern Ireland.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his response and I hope this intensive phase of the talks will draw to a successful conclusion. The need for such a conclusion is evidently demonstrated by the report on paramilitary activity - which makes for stark reading - and the attendant problems for communities on both sides of the Border. As the House knows, that report pointed out that individual provisional IRA members remain involved in criminal activity, such as large-scale smuggling and there have been isolated incidents of violence, including murders. The report also points out the illegal activities and the unacceptable activity of other paramilitary groups which have no place in society either, such as the UVF, the Ulster Defence Association and the INLA.

There is an urgent need to have all of these issues dealing with the legacy of the past and ongoing criminal activity dealt with in a comprehensive manner. The Minister would be aware that last March, I brought legislation to the House calling for the establishment of an all-Ireland cross-Border forum. This would comprise members of An Garda Síochána, the PSNI, our customs service, the Northern Ireland customs service, the Environmental Protection Agency and its counterparts north of the Border and other relevant statutory agencies. I welcome the fact the Minister has indicated he is thinking along those lines. Will he assure us that the establishment of such an agency, with a remit and focus to deal with criminality on both sides of the Border, will be a central part of the ongoing all-party discussions in Stormont and will he assure us that such a body will have an important remit to deal with the outstanding issues arising from paramilitary activity?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The recent assessment report makes for sober reading. It states that all the main paramilitary groups operating during the period of the Troubles remain in existence, including the provisional IRA and a number of loyalist groups and organisations. The assessment adds that the structures of the provisional IRA remain in existence, but in a much reduced form, and that the leadership of the provisional IRA remains committed to the peace process and the group is not involved in terrorist activity.

In the context of the ongoing negotiations and talks, it is important that we read these reports, not only the report of the PSNI but also the report of An Garda Síóchána, in their entirety and not be selective in our quotes. Nevertheless, I agree with Deputy Smith that the continuation of any paramilitary activity is unacceptable and unsustainable and must be ended. We have the opportunity in the current talks process to ensure that all parties commit to that objective.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Those of us who are privileged to be public representatives on this island should reflect that we all have a mandate to implement the Good Friday Agreement. That agreement received over 94% support in the referendum in our State and well over 70% North of the Border. It behoves all of us in public life on this island to work ceaselessly to ensure that its provisions and those of subsequent agreements are implemented in full. I appeal to the Minister to ensure that every effort is made in these talks to progress as many aspects as possible of the Good Friday Agreement and to implement measures contained in the other agreements without further delay.

I am concerned by the legislation proposed by the British in respect of dealing with the legacy of the past. I think it was Mr. Mark Durkan, MP for Foyle, who stated very clearly that the proposed legislation in its present form falls short of the commitments that were made in the Stormont House Agreement last December. I ask the Minister to give us an assurance that such legislation will be adequate to ensure that the measures proposed in the Stormont House Agreement are implemented.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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It is important that all parties under the facilitation of the two Governments commit themselves to the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement. I am listening closely to what the Deputy has said in that regard. Let me assure the House that it was always the intention that the current round of talks would be focused and intensive. There is no doubt that in recent days the talks have intensified and I expect this to continue. Both the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, and myself will be in Belfast between now and the end of this week. The urgency indicated by the First Minister, Mr. Robinson, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr. McGuinness, in recent days reflects my own sense that an agreement can be reached within a very short timeframe.

I must acknowledge that some challenges remain, with a number of crucial gaps which need to be bridged between the participants. It is not just a question of timing or of bringing matters to an urgent conclusion. It is also an issue of substance. It is important that all elements of the talks - the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement on the one hand, including questions around finance and welfare reform, and dealing with the legacy of the past, with reference to what Deputy Smith has said, as well as the impact and legacy of paramilitarism - be fully addressed now while we have the opportunity. These matters must be addressed in a meaningful way in advance of any agreed outcome.