Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

44. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the allegations of deep-seated corruption by the Democratic Unionist Party, DUP, in respect of the renewable heat incentive, RHI, scheme have undermined the political institutions in Belfast (details supplied); and the steps and actions his Department is undertaking to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement and the other agreements are implemented in full. [3263/17]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I would like to use this introduction to pass on my gratitude to Martin McGuinness after his retirement from electoral politics last week and wish him every success in tackling his serious health problems. I do not think anyone has worked harder than Martin over the past ten years to maintain and realise the potential of the institutions in the North, which are sadly being undermined by the DUP.

I look forward to hearing what actions the Department will undertake to ensure the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements are implemented in full.

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

The controversy concerning the substance of the RHI scheme is a matter solely and exclusively for the devolved institutions, and not something on which I or the Government would comment. As stated previously, I regret the circumstances which led to the decision of the deputy First Minister to resign from office. I acknowledge his contribution and leadership over the past decade within the power-sharing institutions. I also offer my congratulations to his successor, Michelle O'Neill, the new leader of Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland. I wish her well in this important leadership role.

It was clear, immediately following the resignation of the deputy First Minister, that the prospect of a resolution ahead of the triggering of an Assembly election was slim. However both Governments, in their capacity as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, made full use of the narrow window available to ensure that any avenues for resolution between the parties prior to an election were fully explored. In the event, an Assembly election has been triggered and will be held on Thursday, 2 March. The Secretary of State and I have agreed that both Governments should continue to work closely together in the weeks to come, looking ahead to the post-election period, when a new power-sharing Executive will need to be formed. We have also urged the parties to approach the election campaign in calm and respectful terms, conscious that polarising rhetoric and frayed relationships will damage the prospects of forming an Executive after the votes have been counted.

We must all be mindful that effective devolved Government, underpinned by a genuine spirit of partnership, is what the people of Northern Ireland voted for in 1998 and what they expect their elected politicians to deliver. It is of the utmost importance that all parties bear in mind the principles of mutual respect, partnership and equality that underpin the Good Friday Agreement.

In this regard, several elements of the Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrews Agreement have not yet been fully implemented, including an Irish Language Act. The Government’s firm position is that the Good Friday Agreement and the successor agreements must be implemented in full. This is reflected in the programme for Government.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is generally accepted the DUP has failed to live up to its obligations on equality, respect and reconciliation. The RHI scheme and the arrogance of the DUP has further undermined and led to the collapse of the political institutions. Arlene Foster was the architect of the scheme. It has the potential to be a cost on the public purse in the North of almost £500 million. There are daily revelations of further DUP political interference in the implementation of the RHI scheme. Sinn Féin cannot and will not tolerate or turn a blind eye to financial scandal, incompetence or the waste of public moneys. To get to the truth of the matter, the North’s Minister of Finance, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, has announced and initiated a public inquiry into the scheme to address the shortcomings of the legislation involved. It will also be away from political interference.

Has the Minister discussed the DUP's provocative actions with the British Secretary of State? Will he ensure the British and Irish Governments significantly engage in negotiations to uphold equality and parity of esteem?

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

I regularly discuss the political situation in Northern Ireland with the Secretary of State. I have discussed the current instability with reference to the issues raised as recently as late last week. It is important that the conduct of the elections is such that all parties ultimately elected to the assembly have a responsibility towards establishing a working Executive in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement.

The Deputy referred to the importance of several issues relating to the Good Friday Agreement, which a level of consideration must be given towards having full compliance. There are several outstanding provisions which have been specifically referenced in the Stormont House Agreement, including provisions concerning the obligations for the promotion of cultural tolerance, mutual respect and mutual understanding at every level of society, as well as a range of priorities for North-South co-operation.

The election campaign is under way and I look forward to continuing to play my part and the part of the Irish Government as co-guarantor of the Agreement. Ultimately, there will be an obligation on those elected to the assembly in March to sit down and work out a programme for government, re-establish the Executive in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Good Friday Agreement.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The issues have moved beyond the RHI scandal. Worryingly, the DUP MLA, Edwin Poots, recently stated that his party never committed to the Governments’ bringing forward an Irish language Act, despite such commitments being explicitly stated and agreed to in the internationally-binding St. Andrews Agreement of 2006. We have parties trying to unwind previous agreements. Will the Minister accept this is a completely false interpretation and crude attempt to undermine such agreements? Just yesterday on "Morning Ireland", the British Secretary of State, James Brokenshire, said the introduction of Acht na Gaeilge has to command cross-community respect. This is foolhardy and a dangerous intervention which runs contrary to the core principles of the agreements. If we accept it has been agreed by all-party negotiations, then his comments provide political cover not only for the DUP's prevarication on this issue but also its fundamentalist opposition to the Irish language and all expressions of Irishness.

Will the Minister urgently contact the British Secretary of State to inform him that the commitment to the Irish language Act is a core component of the St. Andrews Agreement and is in no way conditional?

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

I had a constructive face-to-face meeting with the British Secretary of State late last week and I intend to meet him early next week. I remind the Deputy that in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the Government and the British Government, recalling the commitments from previous agreements, endorsed the need for respect for and recognition of the Irish language in Northern Ireland. The Stormont House Agreement provides for regular review meetings with the participation of the Government, the British Government and the Executive party leaders.

At the last two review meetings, most recently before Christmas, I had the opportunity to draw attention to these outstanding commitments which go to the heart of the Good Friday Agreement. I am anxious these issues remain at the top of the political agenda. The Government views as a solemn responsibility its role and mandate as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement. The Government has been unstinting in its efforts to uphold the principles of the Agreement and to advance the full implementation of all provisions.