Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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152. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and with the party leaders in the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to recent difficulties that have arisen concerning the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12305/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The effective and expeditious implementation of the Stormont House Agreement is a key priority of the Government.

It is disappointing that difficulties have recently arisen around the welfare element of the Stormont House Agreement. The Government has encouraged all parties to stand back and consider the overall potential benefit for the people of Northern Ireland offered by the Stormont House Agreement and to ensure that this potential is fully achieved. I know that work is ongoing by Northern Ireland's political leaders to resolve the welfare issue, and I understand that progress is being made.

I have stayed in close contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and am being regularly updated on developments. I spoke most recently with Secretary of State Villiers on 19 March. In all contacts I have underlined that the success of the Agreement is contingent on the faithful implementation of the totality of its provisions. Our collective objective must be to build on the good work that has already been done towards the Agreement's implementation and to maintain forward momentum. The Government remains committed to doing everything possible to ensure a brighter future for all the people of our island.