Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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106. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had meetings in respect of progress on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35591/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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On the evening of my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I spoke by telephone with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers. Our conversation largely focused on the prospects for 12 July parades, which were taking place the following day, but also touched upon the need to resume political dialogue on the legacy issues which formed part of the earlier Haass talks. I also had conversations that evening with the deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, and the Leader of the SDLP, Dr. Alasdair McDonnell. I also spoke the following week by phone to First Minister, Peter Robinson, and other party leaders.

I visited Belfast on 30 July last for a comprehensive programme which included meetings with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the First Minister and deputy First Minister, other Northern Ireland party leaders, and a range of civil society and community representatives. The visit was an important opportunity to reiterate the Government’s support for effective partnership government in Northern Ireland and our steadfast commitment to the full implementation of the Good Friday and St. Andrew’s Agreements.

I have continued to stay in close contact with the Secretary of State, with whom I have had several telephone conversations with over recent weeks, and with Party leaders. I met most recently with the First Minister and with the deputy First Minister en marge of the North South Ministerial Council Plenary meeting held in Dublin on 3 October. I will be meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland later today.

The Good Friday Agreement, as well as the values and principles underpinning it, is at the core of the Government’s approach to peace, reconciliation and prosperity on this island.Implementing outstanding elements of the Good Friday Agreement, as well as the St Andrews Agreement, is a priority for the Government. Among the elements yet to be implemented are the establishment of a North South Consultative Forum, a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland and an Irish Language Act. The Government’s priority remains to ensure that the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement function effectively to the benefit of all. I continue to urge all the parties to progress fuller implementation of the Agreements.

In the St Andrews Agreement, the British government committed to introducing an Irish Language Act and to working with the Executive to enhance and protect the development of the Irish Language. Since the restoration of the devolved Institutions on 8 May 2007, the question of an Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland is a devolved matter and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive and in particular of the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms. Carál Ní Chuilín MLA. The Government continues to follow developments closely in relation to the proposed Act, as well as the overall enhancement and protection of the Irish Language in Northern Ireland.

The Good Friday Agreement also provided for the establishment of an independent Civic Forum representative of civil society in Northern Ireland. The St Andrews Agreement provided further that the Northern Ireland Executive would support the establishment of an independent North/South Consultative Forum. In September 2008, the Irish Government submitted proposals for the role, format, membership and operation of a North South Consultative Forum to the Executive for its consideration, and facilitated three consultative conferences, the most recent of which was in January 2011. The Government awaits a response from the Executive. We have since raised the Forum at each Plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council and it was on the agenda for the plenary meeting of 3 October 2014.

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. Officials of my Department keep in ongoing contact with representatives of civil society on the issue of a Bill of Rights.

I will continue to press the importance of implementing outstanding elements of the Agreements in my discussions with the British Government and Northern Ireland Executive. Officials in my Department will continue to monitor these matters in their ongoing contacts with the Northern Ireland Office and officials of the Northern Ireland Executive.