John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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332. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the future status of the Good Friday Agreement and institutions set up as a result of the peace process. [5345/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Government will continue to work with the British Government and the political parties to support the fulfillment of the full promise of the Good Friday Agreement and to advance political stability, reconciliation and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland. The interlocking political institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are at the heart of the Agreement, and are the delivery vehicle for many of its commitments. Within this framework, the devolved power-sharing institutions are vital - both for effective government in Northern Ireland and for the overall functioning of the Agreement. For instance, without the devolved institutions, the North South Ministerial Council cannot be convened and North-South cooperation on a wide range of matters is compromised. This has tangible and serious impacts on all people across this island.

It is therefore of vital importance that the institutions of the Agreement return quickly to full operation after the current election. In this regard, the relevant legislation provides a narrow window of three weeks from the date of election to when a new First and deputy First Minister must be nominated.

It will therefore fall to the parties to form a power-sharing Executive and this will require them to find a way forward on issues which contributed to the calling of the election. To be effective and sustainable, devolved Government in Northern Ireland must be underpinned by a genuine spirit of partnership and mutual respect; that is what the people of this island voted for in 1998.

The Government is of course always ready to support and assist the parties in any way we can. As reflected in the Government’s co-convening of the talks that led to the Stormont House (December 2014) and Fresh Start (November 2015) Agreements, our commitment as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement is constant and resolute.

The Government is also working to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement and the overall balance of the settlement is not in any way disturbed by the UK’s exit from the European Union. The legal and political obligations of both the Irish and British Governments under the Good Friday Agreement remain unchanged, regardless of the status of the UK within the EU. The Taoiseach and Prime Minister May have confirmed that the Agreement remains the basis for the two Governments’ approach to Northern Ireland.

I have met with all of my EU Foreign Minister counterparts to sensitise them to the Government’s concerns in regard to the disproportionate impact of Brexit on the island of Ireland. From that engagement, I believe there is a good understanding among my EU colleagues of the unique situation of Northern Ireland and of the importance of the European Union continuing its historic supporting role for the peace process there. As the date for the UK triggering Article 50 draws closer, I expect that engagement with our EU partners will further intensify.