Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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37. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to meet any of the other party leaders in Northern Ireland to discuss the outcome of the Haass talks. [2227/14]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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38. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to meet with the First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland following the outcome of the Haass talks. [2226/14]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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39. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contact he has had with the British government over and since the Christmas and New Year recess. [2224/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 to 39, inclusive, together.

Throughout the period of the Talks, I spoke to and met with all of the Parties, with Drs Haass and O’Sullivan and with the British Government on numerous occasions. I made clear and demonstrated my support for the process and my willingness to meet with participants throughout.

I believe that my engagement, and that of the Taoiseach, with all Parties over the past number of months has been helpful not only in the context of ongoing work in relation to the Haass proposals but is also very valuable in terms of strengthening and deepening Government relations across the NI Executive.

Throughout the Talks, I have made clear to all participants and stakeholders the Government’s view that there is now a unique opportunity to make further progress towards advancing reconciliation and the creation of a truly reconciled and prosperous society in Northern Ireland. That remains the Government’s view and we will continue our engagement with the Northern Ireland Political Parties and the British Government to that end.

While acknowledging that the issues to be addressed in the talks are difficult and contentious, the Government encouraged the parties to be ambitious in their approach. I welcome that very significant progress was made within the talks process over a short period on a number of the most difficult issues that face society in Northern Ireland. The priority now should be to safeguard and give practical effect to what has been achieved.

Since New Year, I have maintained contact with all of the party leaders and have made clear my intention of engaging closely with them as they seek to conclude their important work on what are some of the most divisive issues in Northern Ireland.

I welcome that the five parties in the NI Executive have been meeting to discuss and agree the next steps.

The Government will play its role to the full in partnership with the NI Parties to the full as they complete their work on an agreement.

In regard to specific contacts, I have spoken with all the party leaders since the talks concluded. I met with the first Minister and Deputy first Minister and hope to have an opportunity to speak with each again shortly. I have had numerous discussions with Secretary of State Theresa Villiers and met with her in Hillsborough last week. I believe there is a shared sense of purpose on the part of both governments to see this process brought to an early conclusion.