Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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45. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when talks will resume between the Irish and British Governments and the political parties in Northern Ireland on the need to have the Stormont Assembly and Executive restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10752/18]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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47. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to convene the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10818/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take questions 45 and 47 together.

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.

Recent 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 has spoken with Prime Minister May to emphasise 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 again last week and will remain in very regular contact as we 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 functioning of the power-sharing devolved institutions is crucial for the Good Friday Agreement.

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. In the event that the devolved power-sharing institutions are unable to operate, both Governments will seek ways to ensure that the North/South and East/West dimensions of the Agreement operate in accordance with our respective responsibilities.

If there is no Executive and Assembly, decisions about the internal governance of Northern Ireland are for the UK Government. However, the Irish Government has a very clear and established role in the functioning of various institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and the Government is committed to the effective operation of all of the institutions of the Agreement.

The British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) is an institution of the Agreement, which can meet at any stage, although it has usually been convened when the devolved institutions are not operating. The Conference is an important institution which brings together the British and Irish Governments under Strand Three of the Good Friday Agreement. The Agreement confirms that there is no derogation from the sovereignty of either Government. The Government is continuing to keep under review a convening of the Conference.

The Good Friday Agreement is the indispensable framework for providing stable, inclusive, power-sharing government for all the people of Northern Ireland and for sustaining our interlocking relationships – within Northern Ireland, on the island of Ireland and between the UK and 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 are considering how best to do so in the current situation.