Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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335. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the Government's current position on the Good Friday Agreement. [4117/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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336. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he, his Department or the Government have sought legal advice on the way in which the Brexit result will impact on the application of the Good Friday Agreement on citizens in Northern Ireland; and if he and the Government have concerns regarding same. [4538/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 336 together.

The Good Friday Agreement is the indispensable foundation for all Government engagement on Northern Ireland. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is determined that all aspects of the Agreement are fully respected in the context of the Brexit process.

The Government’s priority is 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 potential impacts on the Good Friday Agreement are being considered from legal and other perspectives as part of this ongoing work, with advice and assistance by the Attorney General’s Office and my own Department’s Legal Division as required.

The Taoiseach and Prime Minister May have reaffirmed that the Agreement remains the basis for the two Governments’ approach to Northern Ireland. It is important to underline that the legal obligations and political commitments of both the Irish and British Governments under the Good Friday Agreement remain unchanged, regardless of the status of the UK within the EU.

As we look to protect and preserve the gains of the peace process through the challenges of Brexit, the crucial importance of achieving the full promise of the Good Friday Agreement is further underlined. The Government’s firm position is that the Good Friday Agreement and the successor Agreements must be implemented in full, and this is reflected in the Programme for Partnership Government. The Agreements, and the principles and values underpinning them, are at the core of the Government’s approach to peace, reconciliation and prosperity on this island. The Government will continue to work tirelessly for that full implementation in both letter and spirit.

Achieving the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement was a key theme in the very productive Sectorial Dialogue on Human Rights under the Good Friday Agreement that I convened on 13 February, as part of the All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit. As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government takes very seriously its responsibility to safeguard its institutions and principles including in the area of human rights. Human rights are central to the peace process and must be protected and sustained, regardless of the UK’s status in the EU. The Government will continue to work closely with the British Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that the protection of human rights remains at the heart of civic life, politics and ongoing societal change in Northern Ireland. This includes the continued incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights in Northern Ireland law as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement.

The interlocking political institutions represent the heart of the Good Friday Agreement. It is therefore critical that the devolved Assembly and Executive are promptly re-established after the forthcoming elections. There is an indispensable role for the devolved power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland in managing the implications of Brexit. This includes the very good work and cooperation at the North South Ministerial Council, which the Government is keen to see resumed at the earliest possible opportunity after the upcoming elections.

Effective devolved Government, underpinned by a genuine spirit of partnership, is what the people of Northern Ireland voted for in 1998 and what they expect their politicians to deliver. After the election, it will therefore fall to the parties to form a power-sharing Executive and this will require the parties to find a way forward on issues which contributed to the calling of the election. In this regard, 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. The Government is of course always ready to support and assist the parties in any way we can - our commitment as a co-guarantor of the Agreement is a constant one.