Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

80. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on recent efforts made to restart the Executive in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36856/18]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

82. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when further talks will be held with the political parties in Northern Ireland and the Secretary of State regarding the need to have the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36870/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 82 together.

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.

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

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.

A meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference took place on 25 July 2018, at which Minister Flanagan and I represented the Government. I look forward to engaging further with the British Government through the Conference, as we continue to work together as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement to secure the effective operation of all of the institutions of the Agreement.

I remain in very regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley, as we seek a way beyond the current impasse with the devolved institutions. We met most recently on 24 August in Dublin and spoke by phone on 5 September. I am deeply concerned at the continuing impasse in Northern Ireland and I have conveyed that concern to Secretary of State Bradley, which she shares.

On 6 September, Secretary of State Bradley, announced proposed temporary amendments to the legislative framework for the calling of an Assembly election, in the continuing absence of the Northern Ireland Executive. This underlines the seriousness of the absence of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, and the urgent requirement for all with responsibilities to do everything in their power to get them operating again.

The strong and consistent calls from across all sections of the community in Northern Ireland for the devolved institutions to operate must be heeded.

It is welcome that a dialogue commenced between the political parties last week. I want to see this followed up on with a political process that can secure an agreement on the operation of the devolved institutions.

I will be engaging further with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how both Governments can most effectively support that urgent work in the period immediately ahead.