Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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85. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has sought a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference under the Good Friday Agreement. [19725/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government has consistently affirmed our unwavering commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and determination, as co-guarantor of the Agreement, to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions. To this end, over the course of many months, we have been working tirelessly in partnership with the British Government to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form a Northern Ireland Executive.

The devolved power-sharing institutions are central to the Good Friday Agreement and are the best means for achieving accountable, representative decision-making for all the people of Northern Ireland.

Unfortunately to date, it has not proved possible to reach an agreement on the formation of an Executive, despite intensive engagement. In light of this, the Government has been working with the British Government to consider means by which we can support the political process, in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement, in the period ahead.

The Taoiseach has spoken with Prime Minister May and emphasised the Government’s full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, and our continuing determination to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions.

I am in very regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland as we seek a way beyond the current impasse. Most recently, I have met Secretary of State Bradley on 10 April, 16 April, and 3 May, 2018. We also spoke by phone on 27 April 2018.

As part of these discussions, I have indicated to Secretary of State Bradley that it would be appropriate to convene the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in order for both Governments to formally engage through the structures of the Good Friday Agreement on next steps.

The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference is an important institution of the Good Friday Agreement which brings together the British and Irish Governments under Strand Three of the Agreement on matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments. It does not involve any derogation from the sovereignty of either Government.