Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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83. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress to date in implementing the Stormont House Agreement; the status of the institutions proposed to deal with legacy issues; if such issues will be discussed at the forthcoming British-Irish intergovernmental conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32259/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Dealing with outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the Troubles is of the utmost importance to the Government. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to building on the progress made to establish the comprehensive institutional framework for dealing with the past that is provided for under the 2014 Stormont House Agreement.

Victims and survivors have had to wait for far too long for a suitable and effective system in Northern Ireland to deal with the legacy of the Troubles. Over the last 12 months, I have engaged extensively with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with all of the political parties to support a way forward on the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement legacy framework. Secretary of State Bradley and I are agreed on the imperative of now moving ahead with the establishment of the Stormont House Agreement legacy framework.

On 11 May, I welcomed the launch of a public consultation by the British Government on their draft legislation to establish the legacy bodies provided for in the Stormont House Agreement. This is an important step in the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement, the full implementation of which will help to provide families with a means of accessing whatever truth and justice is possible in their case and will be an important step towards achieving a truly reconciled society in Northern Ireland.

While this consultation is about UK legislation to establish the institutions, legislation will also be required in this jurisdiction to provide for cooperation with the Stormont House Agreement legacy bodies. The drafting of legislative proposals for consideration by the Government and Oireachtas is advancing, led by my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Regarding legacy inquests in Northern Ireland, I have consistently emphasised in my discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the political parties the need to ensure proper resourcing of these inquests, and I will continue to raise this matter with the Secretary of State. I have also urged all those with responsibilities in relation to legacy inquests to move forward as quickly as possible with the implementation of the proposals made by the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland in this regard.

The Government remains determined to see progress on the establishment of the Stormont House Agreement institutions, on legacy inquests in Northern Ireland and on other outstanding legacy issues, including the three all-Party Motions adopted by this House on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.

Progress on these issues is crucial in order to meet the legitimate needs and expectations of victims and survivors and to contribute to broader societal reconciliation as an integral part of the Peace Process.

A meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference will take place on 25 July. The Government looks forward to this meeting of the Conference in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement. Both Governments as co-guarantors of the Agreement are fully committed to working together to achieve the earliest operation of the devolved institutions, and to working together for the mutual benefit of all of the peoples of these islands. Legacy issues will be discussed as part of the next meeting of the Conference and in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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84. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent discussions he has had with authorities in the United States of America regarding the appointment of a special envoy to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32400/18]

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. This support continues to be provided by the current US Administration, as well as by our many friends in the US 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 has indicated that we would welcome the appointment of a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland by the current Administration, as part of its continuing support for the Peace Process.

The Taoiseach and I have discussed the political process in Northern Ireland with representatives of the US Administration and we have raised the matter of the appointment of a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland during these engagements.

Ireland’s Ambassador in Washington and senior officials of my Department in Dublin are also reiterating the Government’s support for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland in their ongoing contacts with representatives of the US Administration.

Continued support and engagement by the US Administration and Congress will remain an essential support to the ongoing efforts by the British and Irish Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, to get the devolved, power-sharing institutions of the Agreement operating again as soon as possible.