Written answers

Thursday, 24 January 2013

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Northern Ireland Issues

Photo of Robert DowdsRobert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will give an up to date account of his discussions in Belfast regarding the flag protests and riots in Northern Ireland; and the way in which Northern Ireland might move away from such behaviour. [3525/13]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent visit to Belfast; the issues discussed at the various meetings; the proposals, if any, arising from such meetings; if he will deal with the recent outbreak of sectarian violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3584/13]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 61 together.

On Thursday 17 January, together with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers MP and her colleague Minister of State Mike Penning MP, I had a positive and productive meeting with First Minister Peter Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA.

We reviewed the situation following the recent flags controversy across the three dimensions of public order, political leadership and rebuilding Northern Ireland’s reputation. The Secretary of State and I, in accordance with normal practice, briefed the press afterwards. We emphasised the need for protests to stop as well as our support for the PSNI who have been at the frontline in dealing with the violent incidents unfortunately associated with some of the protests. The Secretary of State and I encouraged the First Minister and deputy First Minister to work with other Party Leaders in Northern Ireland to move on from the current controversy towards building a shared, cohesive and integrated society. We also offered to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that the good work done by the Executive and others on attracting inward investment and tourists to Northern Ireland is not put at risk.

While the numbers involved in the street protests are small, the eight week long protest has given rise to significant public disorder, major disruption of public transport services, interference in the daily routines of ordinary people, significant damage to the commercial life of Belfast and to the reputation of Northern Ireland as a safe place to invest and to visit. I have condemned the attacks on the nationalist community in Short Strand and my officials are continuing to monitor the situation there and at other interface areas in Belfast very closely.

The persistence of sectarianism in Northern Ireland, with the absence of political agreement on how to make progress towards a truly reconciled society, contributes to the likelihood of incidents such as those we have witnessed in recent weeks. This crisis will not be resolved other than by a cross-party, cross-community response. I am hopeful that party leaders will shortly agree on a framework for talks to address the issues that have arisen in relation to flags and symbols. These are political issues that require a political solution. The sooner a framework is agreed, the better. Moving forward, the focus of political leadership in Northern Ireland should be on maintaining and creating jobs through economic recovery, in which inward investment and tourism have such a crucial role. The Government are ready to support the Executive and political leadership in Northern Ireland in whatever way we can.

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