Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their very thoughtful and detailed contributions. I welcome the Seanad's close engagement with matters relating to Northern Ireland, which is a key priority for all of us in both Houses. The Government welcomes the various opportunities for discussion in this House initiated by Senators this year to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and to discuss the impact of the UK’s legacy Act and current political issues in Northern Ireland.

The broad cross-party agreement on a number of fundamental issues pertaining to Northern Ireland - on the need for functioning institutions, on dealing with the legacy of the past and on North-South co-operation - is very valuable. We all want to see this island realise its full potential.

In April, the Tánaiste had the opportunity to reflect with Senators in this Chamber on a quarter of a century of peace since the Good Friday Agreement and on what more needs to be done to consolidate the opportunities of that peace. We are in a far better place than we were 25 years ago in Northern Ireland and across the entire island. However, we recognise that there is work yet to be done to achieve a genuine and full reconciliation. Reconciliation underpins the aims of the Good Friday Agreement, lies at the heart of our approach to Northern Ireland and guides the work of the Government’s shared island initiative.

We have taken good note of Senators’ statements regarding the importance of restoring the full functioning of the Good Friday Agreement institutions. The full and effective implementation and operation of the Good Friday Agreement across all three strands remains a key priority for the Government. This has been the focus of our regular engagements with Northern Ireland’s party leaders and the British Government.

As the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have underlined on numerous occasions, we want to see the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland restored urgently. Local leadership is needed in finding better ways forward on the range of issues affecting people’s daily lives, including the debilitating crises in respect of the cost of living, healthcare and public finances.

The people of Northern Ireland voted in elections in May 2022. As democrats, we need to ensure that their mandate is respected and upheld. They deserve to have their voices heard in a democratic institutions guaranteed to them by the Good Friday Agreement. The North-South Ministerial Council must also be allowed to play its critical role in facilitating cross-Border co-operation. Restoration of all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement will allow us to move ahead with new and existing North-South projects to create a more connected, sustainable, prosperous and reconciled island for us all.

It is vital that we look ahead to the future and drive forward a positive agenda, make the most of opportunities for North-South co-operation and work to deepen connections and overcome challenges across the island of Ireland. Developing the all-island economy will be an important part of this. It is already delivering so much and still has so much potential that we can unlock. Cross-Border trade in goods and services has almost trebled since 1998. It is now worth about €10 billion per annum and supports thousands of jobs across sectors from agrifood to tourism. Behind these figures are real people, real jobs and real lives. Entrepreneurship creates prosperity and deeper connections on both sides of the Border. The growth of the all-island economy is a real dividend of the peace process and one that the Government would like to see grow larger still. Protecting and growing the all-island economy is a core priority for the Government.

With the agreement of the Windsor Framework, we have a real opportunity to move beyond the questions that have stymied us since the UK’s decision to leave the EU. The framework offers genuine economic benefits to communities across Northern Ireland. We want to see Northern Ireland take full advantage of these economic opportunities to bring in much-needed investment and drive increased economic prosperity.

Building on the recent Northern Ireland investment conference, we are delighted that the special envoy, Joseph Kennedy, returned this week to Northern Ireland with a business delegation of US investors. Almost 40% of foreign direct investment in Northern Ireland originates in the United States, while over 12% comes from Irish-owned companies. Our closely integrated all-island economy is a major attraction that benefits us all, North and South.

Looking at my portfolio, Ireland’s diaspora has been vital to maintaining international engagement with peace on this island, particularly in the United States but also in other locations. In recent months, we have welcomed hundreds of city and state legislators to Ireland. Many have visited Northern Ireland. The opportunity to engage with these political leaders about Northern Ireland and other issues is invaluable. It is important we maintain these links with the newer generation of up and coming elected representatives in the United States. This provides a platform for sustained engagement, understanding and support into the future. I recognise the work done by the Leas-Chathaoirleach with these groups this year.

As we all know, the Northern Ireland legacy Act received royal assent on 18 September. The Government has taken every opportunity to raise our concerns about this legislation with our British counterparts and have repeatedly made clear the Government’s view that this legislation will damage reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland. Many groups representing victims as well as many Members of this House have called for an inter-state case to be initiated before the European Court of Human Rights in relation to this Act. I assure the House that the Government is considering carefully what action will be taken in response to the Act passing into law.

In the few moments I have left, I will refer to some of the comments made by various Senators. Senators Blaney and Martin mentioned Lough Neagh. The straight answer is that the best thing that can be done is to get Stormont up and running because without that, political leaders can disclaim responsibility for the matter.

I acknowledge the very generous and good comments made by so many Senators about the work of the officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The shared island engagement has been mentioned. Today, for example, the Abbey Theatre hosted a shared island dialogue on identity with contributions from across the island. This is part of a series of such dialogues, including an all-island youth forum which has met twice so far.

Many people have made the case for reform of the Good Friday Agreement. While valid cases can be made, the issues are best looked at from a position of stability when the institutions are up and running. It would be premature to talk about reform while the institutions are not up and running.

Other Senators mentioned a variety of issues related to a border poll, when it should happen and what constitutes a majority. We have noted the comments made. I think most people accept that in a democracy a majority is a majority. We do not expect a border poll to happen immediately because it will take time to build trust and reach the circumstances in which that could take place.

Political stability was mentioned. The biggest cause of instability is that the Executive is not up and running. If there is one final message to go out from this debate, it is that we need to see thee institutions up and running. There are so many intersecting crises in terms of public finances, the cost of living and health and education in Northern Ireland. The best way to address them is to have a functioning Executive.

I thank all the Senators for their comments and I appreciate the opportunity to hear from them today. I assure them that the Government, the Tánaiste and I have listened carefully to their statements. I look forward to future opportunities to discuss these matters with Members of the Seanad again. Go raibh maith agaibh.