Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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24. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent meeting with Secretary for State for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8821/17]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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Will the Minister report on his recent meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Brokenshire? In particular, I am interested in the points the Taoiseach mentioned during Leaders' Questions that the Minister would be raising with Mr. Brokenshire, that is, undercover British police officers operating in Ireland and the call to extend the Pitchford inquiry to include Ireland. The Taoiseach stated the Minister would issue a statement about that after the meeting but the statement has not been forthcoming. What concerns were raised with the Secretary of State? Was it the operation of the police officers or the question regarding the Pitchford inquiry?

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire. We held a bilateral meeting most recently in Dublin on 14 February.

On Brexit, I reminded the Secretary of State of the particular impact on Northern Ireland of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and of the entirely unique circumstances that pertain to Northern Ireland, given the political and constitutional settlement of the Good Friday Agreement, which is the foundation of the peace process. I emphasised the Government’s priority to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement is not in any way disturbed by the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and of course to maintain the open Border on the island, as well as the common travel area. I underlined that the hard-won peace on the island must be protected by both governments as co-guarantors of the Agreement.

I outlined to the Secretary of State that the Government’s focus regarding Northern Ireland is on the substantive outcome on each of the key issues, rather than the label ascribed to the overall package. I emphasised that the Government will maintain its focus on pursuit of specific, effective and realisable measures that address each of the issues of concern under Brexit.

Regarding the Border, I noted that while Prime Minister May’s commitment to work to retain an open Border on the island is welcome, if this is to be achieved, there must be significant flexibility shown by the British Government once these negotiations begin. I also outlined to the Secretary of State the discussions that had taken place the previous day at the all-island civic dialogue on human rights under the Good Friday Agreement.

On the current political situation in Northern Ireland, the Secretary of State and I agreed that it is of the utmost importance that the conditions are in place for a power sharing Executive to be established as soon as possible after the election. I also discussed last week the imperative of dealing with a range of issues related to the Troubles in a way that meets the needs and expectations of victims. I reiterated my determination that the comprehensive legacy framework be established at the earliest opportunity.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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I had asked particularly in relation to the Pitchford inquiry. We know that at least four undercover British police officers were operating in this State. It seems that all of them commenced or had intimate relationships with women during that time. We know that the Metropolitan Police in Britain has apologised for that to people like Sarah Hampton and other victims. We know that the Pitchford inquiry has been set up to look into this, that other States including Scotland, the North and Germany have requested the inquiry be extended to include their own countries and that the Minister was to raise these points with the Secretary of State. What points did the Minister raise with the Secretary of State and what response did he get in relation to this very serious matter?

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Further to the commitment given by the Taoiseach to the House last week, I did raise with the Secretary of State, James Brokenshire, the concerns that were expressed by Members of the House, the Deputy included, regarding the issues connected with the Pitchford inquiry. I said this was a matter of concern, that these concerns had been raised in the House and that we felt it appropriate that there would be a formal reply. In response, Secretary of State Brokenshire undertook to convey these concerns to the British Home Secretary, Amber Rudd. The Deputy will understand that these are matters for which the British Home Secretary has direct responsibility rather than the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, but I confirm that I did raise this issue and that I specifically conveyed the concern of some Members of the House. I know that the Deputy raised this issue with the Tánaiste.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Could the Minister check if that was grouped with another question? As it is a priority question, that would not be so.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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Could I ask the Minister to be a bit more precise? He says, and this is the phrase that is used repeatedly, that concerns were raised. What concerns were raised? Was concern raised that the Irish Government did not know that the police officers were operating in this State or was concern raised that the Pitchford inquiry does not include Ireland? It is really important that we know what concerns were raised. I agree that it is a matter for the Home Secretary unless it is the case that the Irish Government did not know that they were operating here. The Taoiseach suggested that the Minster would be raising this at the meeting. Will the Minister give more details about exactly what concerns he raised?

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is aware of these concerns because he has raised then, not only in the House with the Taoiseach last week, but also he had an opportunity during questions to the Minister for Justice and Equality. This matter relates to the portfolio of the Minister of Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. I understand the Deputy raised these issues directly with the Minister in some detail during questions to the Minister for Justice and Equality only last week and that she has fully responded to them. I conveyed his concern to Secretary of State Brokenshire and I will not comment further on the issues as arising.