Written answers
Tuesday, 27 February 2018
Department of An Taoiseach
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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103. To ask the Taoiseach if he has spoken with the leader of the DUP since 13 February 2018. [9351/18]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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104. To ask the Taoiseach if he has spoken with the leader of the Alliance Party since 13 February 2018. [9352/18]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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105. To ask the Taoiseach if he has spoken with the leader of the SDLP since 13 February 2018. [9353/18]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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106. To ask the Taoiseach if he has spoken with the leader of Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland since 13 February 2018. [9354/18]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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111. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meetings with the Northern Ireland parties on 18 February 2018. [9400/18]
Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 to 106, inclusive, and 111 together.
During my visit to Belfast on 12 February, I met with the Sinn Fein, SDLP, UUP and Alliance Parties to discuss on the restoration of the Executive. I did not have the opportunity to meet the DUP on that day.
I regret the fact that, in the intervening period, the talks process has stalled again. Power sharing and working together are the only way forward for Northern Ireland. The Government has consistently said that the restoration of the institutions is essential in the context of full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. The Government will continue to work very closely with the British government to support the northern parties to achieve this outcome.
The Tánaiste and I met with Mary Lou McDonald TD and Michelle O'Neill MLA on Monday evening (19 February) to review recent developments in Northern Ireland and events leading up to the breakdown in talks on Executive formation last week.
The Government has consistently affirmed our unwavering commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, and determination, as a co-guarantor of the Agreement, to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions.
The Tánaiste and officials continue to keep in close ongoing contact with the Northern parties and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland as part of the Government's ongoing engagement to give full effect to that commitment.
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