Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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115. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made in dealing with legacy issues despite the absence of the Northern Ireland Executive; the discussions that have taken place with Secretary of State James Brokenshire or the UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on legacy issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44201/17]

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 all of its institutions are operating effectively, and that outstanding commitments from previous Agreements are fully implemented.

The Government is continuing to work with the British Government and the parties to support the urgent resumption of the devolved institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. Thereafter, I believe that prompt and definitive progress can and should be achieved with the implementation of the comprehensive legacy framework provided for under the Stormont House Agreement of 2014.

In the discussions at Stormont Castle on outstanding commitments, that took place between March and June of this year, my predecessor and I engaged extensively with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and all of the political parties to seek a way forward to implement the Stormont House legacy framework. This built on the progress made during the talks in 2015 on legacy issues.

It is critical that the momentum from the recent Stormont Castle discussions is continued in the weeks and months ahead. The Government has emphasised to all parties the urgent need to reach an agreement to move ahead with the establishment of the Stormont House legacy framework, which victims and survivors continue to wait for delivery of, having had to wait for far too long already for a suitable and effective system in Northern Ireland for dealing with legacy issues from the Troubles.

The next step in relation to the legacy institutions is expected to be a public consultation by the British Government on their draft legislation to establish the legacy bodies provided for in the Stormont House Agreement. Legislation will also be required in this jurisdiction to provide for cooperation with the Stormont House legacy bodies. The preparation of legislative proposals for consideration by the Government and the Oireachtas is being advanced by the Department of Justice and Equality and my Department.

I have also emphasised in discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the political parties, the need to ensure that legacy inquests are properly resourced, and urged all with responsibilities in relation to legacy inquests to move forward as quickly as possible to implement the helpful proposals of the Lord Chief Justice for Northern Ireland.

The Government will continue to engage with the British Government and the political parties to seek an urgent move forward on legacy issues, to establish the Stormont House framework, meet the legitimate needs and expectations of victims and survivors, and contribute to broader societal reconciliation as an integral part of the Peace Process.