Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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187. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the up-to-date position regarding the all-party talks in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35167/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Following the request by the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Cameron, I and my colleague Minister of State Sherlock, together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, facilitated a return of all the five main parties in Northern Ireland to round table talks. These talks resumed on 21 September and are continuing in a constructive atmosphere. The first two weeks of roundtable talks have been relatively positive and constructive with a clear willingness on all sides to address the issues around the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and dealing with the legacy and impact of paramilitarism. I remain hopeful that, with committed collective engagement, we can make real progress on both of these critical issues. An agreed outcome would be an important step forward - not just for politics but for the further normalisation of society in Northern Ireland. In an effort to facilitate inclusive talks, the Secretary of State has announced a British Government assessment of the current profile of paramilitarism in Northern Ireland. This is a one-off assessment which will be completed in the coming weeks and does not pre-empt the discussion of the paramilitary issue in the talks.

The issue of criminality stemming from the legacy of paramilitarism is also an important point for the talks. I welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement that there will be enhanced support and resources for tackling criminality in Northern Ireland. This is very much in keeping with our Government’s strong determination to tackle crime, including organised crime. There is already very strong North-South cooperation involving the police and other relevant agencies when it comes to cross-border crime. My colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality had the opportunity to engage with the parties on these issues when she participated in the Stormont talks last week.

Of equal importance in the talks is the need to fully implement the Stormont House Agreement. This agreement, concluded in December 2014, offers a blueprint for overcoming current difficulties in the Executive, especially around financing, welfare reform and dealing with the legacy of the past. While financing and welfare reform is primarily an issue for the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly, I have continually encouraged the parties to resolve their difference for the sake of Northern Ireland’s economic stability and the sustainability of public services.

It is also crucial that the work started by the Stormont House Agreement on establishing institutions to deal with the legacy of the past is completed so that justice and truth can bring what healing is possible to victims and survivors of the troubles and their families. My officials and I are working intensively with the Secretary of State, the Northern Ireland Office, and the Northern Ireland political parties to ensure the rapid establishment of these institutions, including the Independent Commission for Information Retrieval, the Historical Investigations Unit and the Implementation and Reconciliation Group.

A successful outcome to the talks, which will respect and protect the Good Friday Agreement and its power sharing institutions, is a crucial priority for the Government. It is essential that all of the five main parties in Northern Ireland, with the support of the two Governments, urgently advance the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and address the impact and legacy of continuing paramilitary activity.