Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for joining us this evening for Sinn Féin's Private Members' motion. I will start by saying that Fianna Fáil welcomes this debate. We agree with all four aspects of the motion as stated. We compliment Senator Ó Donnghaile and his party for the considered approach that has been taken in the motion to its context and, moreover, the approach the Sinn Féin party has taken to the agreement. Those kinds of approaches will take us a long way into the future in moving the debate in Northern Ireland forward and in getting us to a shared future.

The Windsor Framework is a result of a genuine engagement by the EU and the UK, working together and listening to the concerns raised by elected representatives in Northern Ireland, as well as here in Dublin and by citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland. The EU always made the point that it was open to engagement with the British Government when it actually became open to proper, meaningful engagement. In fairness, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has brought that to the table. The EU then stepped up and the outcome has been quite favourable.

I know some people feel a certain element of frustration with some of the unionist parties in their approach to this. With this agreement, like all agreements, it is important that we have patience, that we take time to deliberate with those parties, that we tease out any issues and that we try to get everybody on board. It is that process that got us where we are today, as we approach the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. It is that very process that created such great success over the many weeks and months of engagement that brought about the Good Friday Agreement. It was that sort of approach, engagement and respect that was given to those who sit across the table from us, despite their political beliefs or their religious standing. I think the past has shown that when we approach issues in that manner, we can achieve results, achieve progress for the island and help us to move forward.

The framework offers the stability and predictability that people in Northern Ireland want, need and have been lacking for quite some time, as the result of a long and difficult process to find joint solutions. I pay tribute to both teams who have worked hard and in good faith to bring it to this point. It is important to note the sustained personal commitment of the Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefovi, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as well as other EU member states that have worked intensely and creatively to find solutions to these complex and challenging issues. The support of all our international partners throughout this process should also be acknowledged.

We share the hope that the announcement of last week's agreement allows for the EU and the UK to open a new chapter in their relationship. The EU and the UK are natural partners in addressing the global challenges we face. Whether in supporting Ukraine or addressing climate change, it is in Ireland's interests that the EU and the UK have a positive, forward-looking relationship. It is important that we also have good relations.

As we look forward to next month's 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, it is important that we recognise the significance of the milestone. We have all reaped the benefits of the Good Friday Agreement. The benefits of peace, strengthened relationships and prosperity have grown. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government in Dublin has committed to marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in an appropriate and sensitive manner. I believe it will organise a programme of events to mark the anniversary.

The vision and values of the Good Friday Agreement are fundamental to the ongoing journey of peace and reconciliation on the island. The three strands of the agreement are strand 1, which is on relationships in the North; strand 2, which is on North-South relations; and strand 3, which is on east-west relations. Each one of these is very important and mutually reinforcing. The full functioning of each of the three strands and the institutions that underpin them is an enduring priority.

Notwithstanding the progress that has been made in Northern Ireland and on this island as a whole since the Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago, it is broadly acknowledged that work remains to be done to deliver on the promise and commitments of the Good Friday Agreement. We stand steadfast in the wish to have those institutions up and running and to make democracy work for this island in a manner that can look after all interests of all political hues, all religious hues, and none. We should ensure that everyone on the island has a future that is bright and is in no way sectarian. We should ensure that the people who come after us do not have to live with the past that many currently still live with on this island.