John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the further talks he has held with the Northern Executive regarding the flag protests in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15601/13]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the further talks he has held with the Northern Secretary of State regarding the flag protests in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15589/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 46 together.

Since the outbreak of street violence in early December, I have had frequent contact, both with the British Government and with party leaders. My most recent meeting with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers MP was in Washington last week. We have agreed to continue working together to support the parties in Northern Ireland in addressing both the underlying and immediate causes of the deplorable violence seen in recent months on the streets of Belfast and elsewhere in Northern Ireland.

While the situation has been calmer in recent weeks, we remain fully engaged in our support of the work of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and are united in our view, in the context of forthcoming parades, that the Parades Commission’s determinations must be respected. Dialogue between parade participants and resident communities continues to be the most effective way to prevent outbreaks of violence.

The Secretary of State and I have emphasised our support for the PSNI who have been at the frontline in dealing with the violent incidents unfortunately associated with some of the protests.

We have also urged 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.