Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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300. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the reinstatement of the civic forum is part of the discussions for the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly. [39903/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of a civic forum to act as a consultative mechanism on social, economic and cultural issues in Northern Ireland. A civic forum was set up in 2000 and met on a number of occasions but was suspended following the collapse of the political institutions in October 2002. Following the restoration of devolved government in 2007, a review of the Forum was announced by the new Executive but was not re-established.

In addressing outstanding commitments, the parties to the Stormont House Agreement in 2014 agreed that it was important that civic voices be heard and their views considered in relation to key social, cultural and economic issues. A new model was envisaged through the establishment of a compact civic advisory panel, to meet regularly and to advise the Northern Ireland Executive. Under the Fresh Start Agreement of November 2015, the parties committed to the establishment of a compact civic advisory panel.

On 6 December 2016, the then First and deputy First Ministers announced the formation of this civic advisory panel. The role of the 6-person panel is to consider specific issues relevant to the Executive’s Programme for Government and engage with civic society stakeholders. This panel will report to the Executive and may also propose subjects it wishes to consider.

The establishment of the civic advisory panel by the last Northern Ireland Executive was very welcome, as it fulfilled a provision under the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements. However, in the absence of an Executive, the civic advisory panel is unable to operate effectively.

The Government is determined, as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to continue to work with the Secretary of State and each of the political parties in Northern Ireland to support an agreement on the formation of a new power-sharing Executive for Northern Ireland within the mandate of the current Assembly.