Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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157. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made in talks with the British Government and the five Northern Ireland Executive parties on the outstanding issues following the Fresh Start Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44389/15]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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158. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions he has had with groups representing survivors and families of victims on their serious concerns and disappointment with the Fresh Start Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44390/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.

Implementation and follow-up to the Fresh Start Agreement, agreed on 17 November 2015 following 10 weeks of intensive discussions, is already underway. The Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly have already taken measures to implement what was agreed on welfare reform and finance matters. Contacts have begun at official level on delivering the financial commitments agreed by the Irish Government under the Agreement. There will also be a trilateral ministerial meeting later this month between the justice ministers of Ireland and Northern Ireland and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland that Minister Fitzgerald will attend. This meeting will discuss further enhanced law enforcement co-operation and the setting up of a Joint Agency Task Force on cross border organised crime.

The forthcoming plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council, in Armagh on 11 December 2015, will also provide a timely opportunity for the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to review progress on the implementation of the all-island aspects of the Stormont House Agreement.

I very much regret that the Fresh Start Agreement did not in the end include agreement on the implementation of provisions of the Stormont House Agreement dealing with the legacy of the past. I share the deep disappointment of the victims and survivors of the Troubles and their families.

I would stress again that it was not the Irish Government who pressed for an agreement that completely left aside the legacy of the past. However, when it became clear that the choice was between having an agreement which uncoupled the past and having no agreement at all, the Government most reluctantly agreed to have a less comprehensive deal that would at least ensure that the devolved institutions would be protected and placed on a stable and sustainable footing.

What is important now is that we find a way forward that banks the good progress already achieved during the talks and secures a solution to outstanding matters, including the key issue of striking the right balance between the onward disclosure needs of families and the national security requirements being sought by the British Government.

To this end, contacts are continuing at official level with the British Government, the five main political parties in Northern Ireland and most importantly with various Victims’ Groups. I met with Northern Ireland’s Victims’ Commissioner on 26 November to discuss the concerns of victims and possible ways to take the issue forward in a way that satisfies these concerns. I also hope to meet the Northern Minister for Justice, David Ford, in the coming days and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, later this month in order to take stock of the implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement and to explore potential options aimed at resolving the outstanding issues on dealing with the past.

The provisions of the Stormont House Agreement for dealing with the legacy of the past offer the best possible way of bringing whatever healing is possible to those affected by the Troubles. For this to be achieved it is vitally important that these new institutions have the trust and confidence of the victims and survivors and their families. Their needs will therefore remain central to the Government’s work in this area.

The Government remains committed to finding a way forward so that the establishment of the new institutional framework on the past can take place on an agreed basis as envisaged in the Stormont House Agreement. We are determined to achieve the establishment of these institutions so that we can in a fundamental way deal with the past, foster reconciliation and build a society for future generations that is free from hurt and suspicion. This is essential if the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement is to be realised.