Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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204. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the negotiations being held in Northern Ireland; and his views on whether the Executive will be reinstated. [43447/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government is determined, as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to do everything in our power to ensure that all of its institutions are operating effectively, including the devolved Assembly and power-sharing Executive in Northern Ireland and the North-South Ministerial Council.

I remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, and the political parties, as both Governments continue work to support and encourage the parties in achieving the urgent and essential objective of forming a new Executive within the mandate of the current Assembly.

I have welcomed the intensified and sustained engagement between the DUP and Sinn Féin over the last number of weeks in order to resolve key differences which have proved an obstacle to them forming a new Executive. As the two parties mandated to lead the next Executive, it is for them in the first instance to establish a basis on which a new administration can work. I have continued to encourage the parties to stretch themselves to reach an agreement which is consistent with their electoral mandates and which reflects the principles of mutual respect, parity of esteem and partnership.

I do not underestimate the differences that remain to be resolved in order for such an agreement to be reached. However, I believe that these can and must be resolved in the period immediately ahead. Time is now a very real factor, with budgetary and other necessary decisions looming in relation to the provision of public services in Northern Ireland. These need to be addressed by effective and sustainable devolved government in Northern Ireland, as provided for under the Good Friday Agreement. The essential work of the North South Ministerial Council also needs to urgently recommence, not least in the context of Brexit.

I am hopeful that the political parties will urgently and successfully conclude their discussions which will allow the Executive and Assembly, and indeed all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, to function effectively.

On behalf of the Government, I will continue to make all possible efforts, working with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the political parties, to support an agreement on the formation of a new power-sharing Executive in the period immediately ahead.