Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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On 29 May 2014, I met with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers in Dublin.We discussed developments in the Northern Ireland Party Leaders’ talks. We agreed that the coming weeks will be a crucial period in ensuring progress. The Secretary of State and I encouraged Party Leaders to do everything possible to take these matters forward. At our meeting we expressed our respective Governments’ commitment to actively supporting the talks. We discussed the important work of the International Fund for Ireland, the situation in prisons in Northern Ireland, and the funding of Protestant schools in Ireland. We also discussed our concerns ahead of the upcoming parading season.

I again raised the matter of the British government granting access to information related to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. The Secretary of State assured me that she will reflect afresh on what the British Government can do to respond to this request.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 to 29, inclusive, together.

The Good Friday and St Andrews Agreements are essential to the achievement of reconciliation and mutual trust in Northern Ireland and in the totality of relations between these islands. I continue to stress the importance of progressing implementation of all outstanding aspects of the Agreements in my ongoing contacts with the British government, and with the Northern Ireland Executive.

I welcome the report agreed at the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly plenary in Dublin on 31 March 2014on the implementation of the Good Friday and St Andrews Agreement and which calls on all parties to the Agreements ‘to maintain momentum to ensure that all outstanding provisions are implemented in their totality’.

I support the establishment of a North/South Consultative Civic Forum which would provide for a broad range of voices on community relations and stimulate informed public debate in relation to key societal challenges. The Government has continued to express support for such a body, including at the November 2013 North South Ministerial Council. On my regular visits to Northern Ireland, I continue the practice of engaging with civil society representatives. Officials of my Department are maintaining their efforts to achieve progress on this issue.

I am firmly of the view that an Irish Language Act should be introduced in Northern Ireland. All parties to the Good Friday Agreement recognised the importance of respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity in Northern Ireland.

Since the restoration of the devolved Institutions on 8 May 2007, the question of an Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland has been a devolved matter and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive and in particular the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms. Carál Ní Chuilín MLA.

I will continue to press in my discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive and with the British Government the urgent need to address this issue and to legislate for an Irish Language Act.

I continue to urge all the parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly to engage in constructive discussion with a view to reaching agreement on the substance of a Bill of Rights.

A Bill of Rights drawn up by agreement between the main parties of the Assembly could set out precisely and formally the rights underpinning a reconciled society in Northern Ireland. I, and my officials, will continue to engage with counterparts in the British Government and in the Northern Ireland Executive on this matter.