Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government, working with the British Government, has spared no effort in supporting and facilitating talks on the formation of a new Executive, over many months. However, devolved power-sharing government can only operate on the basis of an agreement reached between the two largest parties, while the other parties represented in the Assembly also have a critical role to play here.

I am disappointed that, after several phases of negotiations in different formats, we still do not have an agreement to form an Executive. The issues under discussion go to the heart of the divisions in society in Northern Ireland and agreement on them was always going to be challenging. However, I have always believed that it is possible to reach an agreed outcome which ensures implementation of previous agreements and reflects the core principles of the Good Friday Agreement and power-sharing itself - partnership, equality, and mutual respect.

Important progress has been made over the past number of months and I believe that the prize of devolved power-sharing government is achievable and can be secured for the benefit of all of the people of Northern Ireland.

I met with the newly appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley, in London on 12 January. We discussed how both Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, can support the parties in resolving the outstanding issues and moving ahead to form a new Executive.

The Secretary of State and I agreed that there remain challenges for the parties in reaching that agreement, but we also noted the wish of each of the parties to see the devolved power-sharing institutions continuing to operate.

Both Governments remain strongly committed to ensuring that all possible efforts are made in the period ahead to support a move forward by the parties that will ensure the continuation of devolved power-sharing government in Northern Ireland. I will meet with Secretary of State Bradley again later this week, to discuss the further engagement by both Governments to this end.

The Government has consistently affirmed our unwavering commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, and our determination to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions. The Executive and Assembly are at the heart of the Agreement, and it is imperative that they operate to deliver representative and accountable government in Northern Ireland, in accordance with the principles of partnership, parity of esteem and mutual respect.

The Taoiseach and I will continue to engage with the British Government and the parties in Northern Ireland in the period immediately ahead to support the urgent formation of a new Executive by the mandated political parties.