Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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76. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he continues to promote the concept of power sharing and the continuation of working at and improving the peace process in Northern Ireland in a way that clearly demonstrates the economic and social benefits of a broadening and deepening of the principles of the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13630/23]

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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78. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his engagement to date with the DUP in getting the party's agreement on the recent Windsor Framework proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13665/23]

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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101. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on efforts to restore the Northern Ireland Institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12537/23]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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112. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent engagements with regard to restoring the Northern Ireland Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13498/23]

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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116. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding ongoing negotiations to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland in view of recent progress on the Windsor Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13207/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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As we approach the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, it is a good time to review the endeavours we have made in the past and to which we might go in the future in order to engage with the communities in Northern Ireland and to continue to grow the Good Friday Agreement in the best way possible in a non-aggressive and non-threatening to bring on board people who are at the present time not fully committed.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 , 78 , 101, 112 and 116 together. The full and effective operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a key priority for this Government, across all three strands: the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland; the North South Ministerial Council and the cross-Border bodies; and the east-west institutions. The agreement is designed so these institutions support and reinforce one another.

As a co-guarantor of the agreement, together with the British Government, we have a particular responsibility to see these institutions operate as effectively as possible and delivering to the collective benefit of all of our citizens. The people of Northern Ireland are entitled to a functioning Assembly and Executive. Their vote in last May's Assembly elections must be respected, so that the political leadership required if the urgent issues facing communities and families are to be addressed is there. These issues include improving access to healthcare, educational attainment and other core service delivery issues.

The last several weeks have seen positive momentum which must now be harnessed. It is understandable that Assembly parties will require time to study the Windsor Framework, but this can be done in parallel to delay getting the institutions up and running. I remain in regular contact with political representatives in Northern Ireland, reiterating the urgent need for a functioning Assembly and Executive.

The absence of a functioning Executive also has knock-on effects for the operation of strand 2 of the agreement. I am deeply concerned that the work of the North South Ministerial Council has been severely disrupted in recent years. In the absence of regular North South Ministerial Council meetings, the two Administrations on the island are not having the important kinds of conversations that we should be having to address shared challenges and opportunities.

It is vital that the council is allowed to continue its work as soon as possible. I am in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with restoration of the institutions being a core focus of our discussions. I have also reiterated the importance of the principles of consent and of parity of esteem, and the enduring need for close co-operation between the two Governments on any matters that might touch upon the delicate balances that underpin the Good Friday Agreement.

The Secretary of State and I also met at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference under strand 3 of the agreement in Dublin earlier this year. In all of our contacts, we discussed the importance that both Governments attach to the full functioning of the institutions provided for under the Good Friday Agreement.

I will meet the Secretary of State a number of times in the weeks ahead. We remain in close and regular contact.

I emphasise the importance of the east-west strand as a locus for practical co-operation, including as a focal point for practical co-operation between the various jurisdictions of these islands. The British-Irish Council addresses such issues as climate, energy and broader sustainability concerns. The most recent council summit took place in Blackpool on 11 November 2022, where I met the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. The 39th British-Irish Council summit is due to be hosted in Jersey later this year. These regular engagements are positive and I look forward to our administrations continuing this important work.

I assure the Dáil that this Government will continue to work with our Northern Ireland and UK counterparts across all three strands of the agreement. I am also conscious that interparliamentary links are strong and that many Members of this House met their Northern Ireland and UK counterparts at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly extraordinary plenary to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. On behalf of the Government, I commend them on their important contribution, in doing that, to building east-west and North-South relations. Working together, the Government of Ireland, the British Government and the Northern Ireland parties can help to build a peaceful, prosperous, and stable Northern Ireland and strengthen ties across these islands. Part of this includes the continued development of a closely integrated all-island economy, which is one of the key dividends of the peace process and remains a priority.

Building on the stability provided for by the Windsor Framework, the Government will continue to work to create an enabling environment for businesses, North and South, to grow cross-Border trade and further unlock the potential of the all-island economy. The Government will continue to work closely on a North-South and east-west basis in support of the devolved power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland and the full implementation of all strands of the Good Friday Agreement, as well as subsequent agreements. It is important to stress the interdependence of strands 1, 2 and 3 of the Good Friday Agreement and, in the context of the implementation of the Windsor Framework and working with the UK Government and the European Commission, we are clear the agreement arrived at between the European Union and the United Kingdom has to be implemented in good faith and consistent with the terms of the EU-UK agreement. Notwithstanding what I said earlier, there is a need to restore the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement for the people of Northern Ireland, who deserve their mandate to be validated. The continuing frustration of the rights of the people of Northern Ireland in that respect is not satisfactory.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Tánaiste for his detailed reply and for his commitment, both as Taoiseach and Tánaiste, to the concept of the pursuit of the best possible continued outcome of the Good Friday Agreement. However, an opportunity arises at this time to further the ambitions of the agreement in a meaningful way that reassures all the communities in Northern Ireland by way of continued engagement with them. It can also reassure them in a non-threatening and non-aggressive way that they have nothing to fear from closer association but they have a lot to gain. Unfortunately, a survey was carried out a few years ago to the effect that, in the South, people were not prepared to pay more in their taxes for a united Ireland. That is the question that was put at the time. We need to proceed more in that area and progress it for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland and southern Ireland, both economically and socially.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Windsor Framework is very much about Northern Ireland and, in putting it together, it is clear the views of many elected representatives and of those in business and society across Northern Ireland were taken on board. It offers hope of a new chapter in EU-UK relations. It would be valuable for everybody to have time and space to look at it and arrive at the most informed decision on it. I understand that DUP members are doing that and that they are continuing to meet and debate it, including tomorrow, when I understand they will meet with a specific focus on the Stormont brake and possibly voting against it. Has the Tánaiste been engaging with it on its views and concerns and what impact a vote against could have on the overall framework?

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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The DUP has clearly linked two issues, the Northern Ireland protocol and the restoration of the Stormont institutions. Following extensive negotiations between the EU and the UK, a new Windsor Framework has been agreed. European ministers agreed to aspects of the Windsor Framework today and the EU-UK joint committee meets later this week to advance it further. The DUP has set up an expert panel to consider the Windsor Framework further and is committed to voting against the Stormont brake in the House of Commons tomorrow evening. It is to be hoped the DUP will give its agreement to the Windsor Framework in due course, but the negotiations between the EU and the UK are over. The protocol and the restoration of the Northern Ireland institutions, at the end of the day, are separate issues. What extra measures can the Tánaiste take or what can he do to get the institutions up and running as we prepare to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement?

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to what has been said by my colleagues and I refer to the DUP and its ongoing opposition to progress when it comes to the Windsor Framework. Have the Department or the Minister explained to the DUP the potential damage this could do, not alone to its reputation but to the stability of the peace process in Northern Ireland? It is very unfortunate the DUP seems to be the only major power broker that is fighting this continuously. It makes no economic sense and little political sense, given the recent assembly elections. Has that been explained?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On Deputy Durkan's points, the opportunity does exist. The 25th anniversary is rightly to celebrate the courage of all those involved in arriving at the Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago and marking the fact a whole generation grew up in peace and not in conflict in comparison with what had happened prior to that. Equally, it is an opportunity to pivot to the future, and the appointment of Joe Kennedy as an economic adviser by the United States President, Joe Biden, is an important signal that the United States is anxious to support economic development and opportunities for Northern Ireland. The Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, has been consistent in saying to me and Northern Ireland parties that the Commission wants to support Northern Ireland economically and to create investment opportunities, in the context of the 25th anniversary. That makes sense and the shared island initiative has also been a positive development in dialogue, research and, above all, substantial funding for a range of significant projects and research between universities and for the Ulster Canal and so forth.

Deputy Moynihan made a point on the Windsor agreement. Time and space is being given and it is no secret that unionism sought a mechanism to deal with what it would describe as a democratic deficit in new EU law, EU law more generally and its application. It is taking a position in tomorrow's vote, which I find surprising in that context because that is why the Stormont brake was designed in the first instance. This was done in negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom Government. We did not get involved in that specific measure. However, we want to ensure the implementation of that Stormont brake was done in good faith to the agreement arrived at between the European Union and the United Kingdom Government, and consistent with the architecture of the Good Friday Agreement, which is important.

Deputy Haughey is correct that the negotiations are over between the EU and the United Kingdom in that context. On extra measures, we have to wait to see what happens and the DUP has to make a decision on this at some stage. That decision will be critical in the validation of the outgoing election.

On Deputy O'Connor's points, we have had quite consistent and regular engagement with the DUP and with all the political parties and their leadership. Everyone is conscious of the implications of decisions they take in respect of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I again thank the Tánaiste for his detailed replies. So many years on, we tend to forget the difference the Good Friday Agreement made. Generally, that would be the case across the country. We need to reaffirm our views as to what it did. It brought about peace. We need to support that concept in a way we have never done before. We have this opportunity, which the Tánaiste has already referred to, to take it further and to work on the agreement in such a way as to reassure all communities on the island of Ireland that there is nothing to fear from the closer co-operation that should and will come and is part of the Good Friday Agreement.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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It is vital for the people of Northern Ireland that power sharing be re-established. I am conscious that the DUP has asked for time and space to assess the framework. However, it has been indicated that it will be voting against an aspect of the Windsor Framework tomorrow and it also has been suggested that the DUP would not re-enter power sharing in Stormont. What can be done to alleviate these concerns? Are there avenues open to the Irish Government to assist in any way?

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate that all the effort now must be in getting the institutions up and running. However, has the Tánaiste given any consideration to what might happen to the Belfast Agreement-Good Friday Agreement in due course and the reform of same? That has been discussed from time to time, particularly after the Assembly elections. If worst comes to worst and we cannot get the institutions up and running, has the Tánaiste discussed with his British counterparts what would need to be done then and what other measures could be put in place with regard to the governance of Northern Ireland?

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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We must reiterate in this House the international focus on the DUP's actions and why it needs to change its position. The President of the United States will be in Northern Ireland in less than three weeks. It is imperative that people realise, not just in the North but across the European Union, within the United Kingdom and here in Ireland, that they need to just get on with the business. This is not about the politics of the Troubles or the Good Friday Agreement in itself but about providing a viable economic future for young people in Northern Ireland. Young unionists who work here in Dublin tell me they are sick and tired of the DUP's political actions. That is a message that needs to ring through and not just here; I heard it in Washington last week. There has been very positive engagement from world leaders who are trying to push on what is best for the people of Northern Ireland, its society and its economy. It is important that we put on record that we feel the DUP is wrong in this. It is not the right thing to do and hopefully it will change its view.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I think Deputy Durkan is correct that many people forget the enormous impact the Good Friday Agreement had at the time. I was a youngster when the Troubles started. I witnessed many atrocities, as we all did, on a regular basis with daily news bulletins and so on. When the breakthrough came ,when Albert Reynolds and John Major announced the Downing Street Declaration, it was something people never thought they would see. The violence went on for far too long. There is no question but that terrible atrocities were committed. There is a whole young generation that do not quite realise what went on before. The Deputy is correct on that. We have to take the opportunity of the 25th anniversary to try to reboot and pivot to the future.

As regards Deputy Moynihan's question about the avenues open to the Irish Government, at this stage the focus is on the restoration of the institutions. We are not speculating on what might happen if that is not done. We will have to deal with that when the time comes if that is the case but I am of the strong opinion that the Windsor Framework deals comprehensively with all the issues that were raised with us and others in respect of the operation of the protocol. It is a comprehensive agreement and it deals with all the issues that were raised.

Deputy Haughey asked about the reform of the institutions. My consistent position is that the election to the Assembly has to be vindicated in the form of the election of a First Minister and deputy First Minister, in accordance with what the majority decided, before any reform is contemplated. The institutions have to be established in line with the election. After that, I am open to looking at the next election in five years' time and how those institutions could be reformed to make sure there is a viable Government into the future that is effective and would operate on behalf of people. There has been too much stopping and starting since the agreement was initiated 25 years ago.

On Deputy O'Connor's question, at this stage there has been a lot of discussion and engagement. We have to allow the space for a decision around going back into the institutions but that is a decision the DUP will have to come to. It is under no illusions as to the views of all the political parties in the North, the Irish Government, the British Government and the European Union or what the desire of the international community is but it is further considering some of these issues.