Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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405. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37630/14]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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406. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the Northern Executive. [37629/14]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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407. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade where the new round of talks on Northern Ireland will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37624/14]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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408. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the fresh talks on Northern Ireland announced by the British Government and welcomed by the Irish Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37621/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 to 408, inclusive, together.

Since 16 October, discussions have been ongoing in the political talks in Northern Ireland convened by the Irish and British Governments. These talks bring together the Northern Ireland Executive Parties and the two Governments, in order to address a number of key issues that have badly impacted on the reconciliation agenda and on economic renewal. These include budgetary and financial matters, legacy issues (parades, flags and identity, dealing with the past), institutional issues including the effective functioning of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, and outstanding commitments from the Good Friday and St. Andrew's Agreements. The Irish Government’s interest in the talks is to ensure that the Agreements, and effective partnership government which is at the heart of the Agreements, work for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland.

Discussions have taken place on each of the streams, including on outstanding elements of the Agreements. The principles and values of the Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrews Agreement are essential to peace and reconciliation in Ireland and across these islands. As such, the position of the Irish Government always has been, and continues to be, that all outstanding elements of the Agreements must be implemented, and I have expressed this view during the current talks.

I have been encouraged by the constructive approach demonstrated by all parties to date in the talks. Productive discussions are taking place between the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive parties, in a range of formats.

It is clear that the talks have now entered an important phase in which renewed and intensified efforts are required to achieve a comprehensive agreement. I will be reporting to the Taoiseach on the state of play in the talks by the end of November, and I would hope that I will be in a position to report significant progress.