Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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120. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions held with First Minister Robinson and Deputy First Minister McGuinness in respect of the programme of work being conducted in Northern Ireland by Dr Richard Haass. [44110/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I regularly meet with the First Minister and deputy First Ministers for discussions on a range of issues. The Taoiseach and I met with both the First Minister and the deputy First Minister most recently en marge of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh on 9 November. I also met with deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in Derry on 19 October and with First Minister Peter Robinson in Belfast on 10 November. Amongst the issues discussed on each occasion were the Panel of Parties talks on parades, flags and emblems and the past currently ongoing under the Chairmanship of Richard Haass and the Vice-Chairmanship of Meghan O'Sullivan. Both party leaders are actively engaged in the talks process. I conveyed the Government's belief that the process presents an opportunity to reaffirm the commitments made throughout the hard-won peace process and to making further progress towards advancing reconciliation and the creation of a truly reconciled and prosperous society in Northern Ireland. I recalled that whilst the issues to be addressed in the talks are difficult and contentious, I had encouraged Dr Haass to be ambitious in his approach and for all talks' participants to engage actively with the process. I assured them that the Irish Government is ready and willing to support the process in any way we can.