Written answers

Tuesday, 17 January 2017

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Northern Ireland

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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709. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with members of the Northern Ireland Executive and parties represented in the Assembly on the serious political difficulties which have arisen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1920/17]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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On 12 January, I travelled to Belfast and held meetings with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, the DUP leader Arlene Foster, and a Sinn Féin delegation led by Martin McGuinness.

This followed on from contacts earlier in the week by telephone with the British Government and the leaders of the SDLP, UUP and Alliance Party. I had also spoken to Martin McGuinness immediately following his resignation as deputy First Minister on 9 January and prior to that on 19 December, when the opposition parties tabled a no confidence motion in the First Minister.

The Taoiseach has of course also been actively engaged and was in direct contact with the British Prime Minister as well as the leaders of both the DUP and Sinn Féin.

It was clear, immediately following the resignation of the deputy First Minister, that the prospect of a resolution ahead of the triggering of an Assembly election were slim. However both Governments, in their capacity as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, made full use of the narrow window available to ensure that any avenues for resolution between the parties prior to an election were fully explored.

In the event, an Assembly election has been triggered and it is important to emphasise that this eventuality is one covered by the legislation governing the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland. When parties in an administration cannot agree, an election is the consequence and the outcome of that is now for the electorate in Northern Ireland to determine.

In my discussions with each of the party leaders in Northern Ireland, I have emphasised the importance of all parties acting responsibly in word and deed during an election campaign, to prevent any long-term damage to the political institutions of the Agreement.

After the election, it will fall to the parties to form a power-sharing Executive and this will of course require a resolution to the issues which brought about the current situation. As these political difficulties are worked through in Northern Ireland, it is of the utmost importance that all parties bear in mind the principles of mutual respect, partnership and equality, which underpin the Good Friday Agreement, through which so much has been achieved.

As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government will continue to work with the British Government and the political parties to support political stability, reconciliation and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland.

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