Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent discussions he has had with authorities in the United States of America in relation to the appointment of a special envoy to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9197/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Successive US Administrations have provided immensely valuable support to the peace process over the last three decades, and this support continues to be provided by the current US Administration, as well as by our many friends in Congress. The Government strongly appreciates the sustained engagement by the current US Administration, including by the US State Department, in relation to Northern Ireland and we look forward to this continuing into the future. In this regard, the Government would very much welcome the appointment of a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland by the current Administration, as part of its continuing support for the Peace Process. I will be meeting with members of the US Administration in Washington tomorrow.

With regard to the Peace Process and the current situation in Northern Ireland, I will be emphasising the importance of continued support and engagement by the US Administration and Congress as efforts continue to get the devolved, power-sharing institutions of the Agreement operating again as quickly as possible.

I will also be underlining that, notwithstanding the current challenges, the twentieth anniversary in April of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement will

be a very important moment to recognise and affirm the achievement of lasting peace in Northern Ireland, as well as the transformation in political relationships which the Agreement has enabled.

This has been achieved with the constant and immensely valuable support and friendship of the United States Government and people, every step of the way over the last three decades. To protect and further this historic collective achievement, all of us with responsibilities, interest and influence should continue to work to advance peace and reconciliation, with the Good Friday Agreement as the unshakeable foundation of the Peace Process.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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41. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals there are to have talks resumed in relation to the need to have the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9198/18]

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. Fully functioning, devolved, power-sharing Institutions are the only way forward for Northern Ireland, and are urgently required. Last week’s developments in Stormont are of serious concern to all of us who want to see the establishment of a functioning, power-sharing Executive in Northern Ireland, and the other Institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Government is working with the British Government to see if there is any prospect of re-engagement with the parties in the period ahead.

The Taoiseach spoke with Prime Minister May on Monday and emphasised the Government's full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, and its determination to secure the effective operation of all its institutions.

I spoke with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the same day as part of our regular engagement, as we work to seek a way forward from the current impasse in the discussions to secure the formation of a new Executive.

As co-guarantor of the Agreement, the Government will continue to engage with the British Government and the political parties in Northern Ireland to support the urgent formation of a new Executive by the mandated political parties. The Taoiseach and I met with Sinn Féin on Monday and we are also keeping in contact with the other parties.

The Government’s firm position is that the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent Agreements must be implemented in full, and in this context the Taoiseach and I have been clear that the Government does not want to see the introduction of direct rule in Northern Ireland.

As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, the British and Irish Governments have an obligation to uphold and protect the letter and spirit of that Agreement, and we will also be considering how best to do so in the current situation.