Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the responses of political parties in Northern Ireland given to the British and Irish governments following the period of consultation immediately after the talks at St Andrews; his further views on whether these responses are sufficient for further progress to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39541/06]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had discussions with the British Government or with political parties in Northern Ireland regarding the proposal to hold either new Assembly Elections or a referendum in Northern Ireland on the St Andrews Agreement; if he recognises the potential of Assembly Elections to polarise opinion further in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39544/06]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the new legislation published by the British Government to enact the St Andrews Agreement; the main details of this new legislation; his views on whether this legislation will allow for the re-establishment of the institutions created under the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39540/06]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the changes to the Good Friday Agreement are sufficiently significant to require a referendum; when this referendum may take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39543/06]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the latest efforts being made to encourage the DUP to enter into a power sharing executive in Northern Ireland; the latest issues of concern that the DUP have; if further concessions to the DUP will be made; if his attention has been drawn to the potential of further side deals beyond the St Andrews Agreement to upset the political process in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39545/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 60, 92, 113 and 116 together.

The St. Andrews Agreement published by the two Governments on 13 October underpins the Good Friday Agreement and sets out a clear way forward for all parties to commit to the full operation of stable power-sharing government in Northern Ireland and to full support for policing and the criminal justice institutions, including the Policing Board. It also sets out in some detail the practical changes proposed to the operation of the institutions, the arrangements for a financial package and the timetable for implementation of the agreement.

At St. Andrews, the Governments asked the parties, having consulted their members, to confirm acceptance of the agreement by 10 November. Further to these consultations and their contacts with the parties, the Governments announced on 10 November that they were satisfied that the St. Andrews Agreement, implemented in good faith, represents the basis for a political settlement.

Last week therefore, the British Government published draft legislation to give effect to the St. Andrews Agreement. This legislation yesterday completed its passage through the Westminster parliament.

The legislation makes the necessary provisions to allow devolved government to be restored in Northern Ireland on the basis of the timetable set out at St. Andrews, which envisages restoration of the devolved institutions on 26 March 2007. It provides for a Transitional Assembly to meet from 24 November to prepare for restoration of the devolved institutions. It includes amendments to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to implement, on restoration, the practical changes to the operation of the institutions agreed at St. Andrews. It also includes provision for the Northern Ireland Assembly to be dissolved at any time before 25 March 2007 if it is considered there is no reasonable prospect of establishing a power-sharing government. In these circumstances, the Governments would move immediately to implement new British Irish partnership arrangements.

It was clear from our discussions with the parties at St. Andrews that some form of electoral endorsement of the agreement as a whole would be required before the formation of an Executive next March. The British legislation makes provision for this to be by way of elections to the Assembly in Northern Ireland on 7 March 2007. The Secretary of State Peter Hain has made clear however that an election would only take place in these circumstances, that is if it is clear that the parties are working constructively towards participation in a power-sharing Executive by 26 March of next year.

As to whether a referendum is required here, the Attorney General will advise the Government on any implications that may arise in this jurisdiction, once he has completed his examination of the final content of the British legislation.

In the course of our ongoing efforts to restore devolved Government to Northern Ireland, all parties have raised with us issues of particular concern to their membership. In our contacts with the parties we have consistently sought to address these issues as constructively as possible, and in line with our overall aim of achieving full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. The Governments believe the St. Andrews Agreement addresses the concerns expressed by the parties, including the DUP, in a balanced and fair way. We are satisfied that if it is implemented in good faith by the parties, it will clear the way for the restoration of the devolved institutions on 26 March 2007.

I was encouraged that the Programme for Government Committee met for the first time this week and that it has now begun to address some of the practical issues that will face the restored Executive. We expect these preparations to intensify from tomorrow, once the Transitional Assembly gets down to work.

The St. Andrews process will continue to require careful management over the coming weeks and months to bring it to a successful completion. In that regard, there is a responsibility on all to play their part in making it work. The Government will continue to work in close partnership with the British Government, as well as with the parties to complete this task and clear the way for a new era for the people of Northern Ireland.