Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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153. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at his recent meeting with Senator Gary Hart in relation to the talks process in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42429/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, and I had a very positive meeting with Senator Hart in Belfast on 30 October. This meeting took place in the context of the current cross-party political talks in Northern Ireland, in which Senator Hart is playing an important role as US Secretary of State Kerry’s Personal Representative. The focus of discussion during our meeting was on how the Senator could best support the talks process and encourage the parties to move forward together.

Senator Hart met with a range wide of stakeholders while in Belfast. As well as his meeting with the Irish Government, he met with the Northern Ireland Executive Parties, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Chief Constable of the PSNI and a number of representatives of civil society.

Senator Hart’s appointment and the recent round of telephone contacts initiated by Vice President Biden are a further demonstration of the United States’ long-standing support for peace, reconciliation and economic renewal on the island of Ireland. I look forward to working closely with Senator Hart over the coming weeks.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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154. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at his recent meeting with the Northern Ireland Executive parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42430/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Political talks began on 16 October. The British and Irish Governments convened the current talks in order to address a number of key issues that have badly impacted on the reconciliation agenda and on economic renewal in Northern Ireland, including budgetary and financial issues, legacy issues (parades, flags and identity, dealing with the past), the working of the political institutions and outstanding commitments from the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements. Discussions have now taken place on each of these streams.

I have met with each of the Northern Ireland Executive Parties over the past few weeks, including in some cases, through trilateral meetings held jointly with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers. There has been positive progress in the talks. In the time ahead, the Government will continue to do everything possible to ensure that a comprehensive deal is reached that will deliver a positive outcome for people in Northern Ireland and throughout this island .