Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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167. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions being taken to best ensure parts of Northern Ireland do not return to violence as seen in 2021; the work being carried out between his Department and the relevant bodies in Northern Ireland to promote peace at this critical time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38597/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The achievements of the peace process must never be taken for granted and we will continue to work to protect and uphold the Good Friday Agreement in all circumstances, and to support the ongoing work of peace and deeper reconciliation.

The violent incidents that took place in early April 2021 in Northern Ireland were deeply concerning to all of us. They underscored the importance of continued dialogue to ensure that the hard won peace on this island is maintained.

There are democratic and legal means available to address everyone’s concerns, be they in relation to the outworking of Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol, or other issues. Where there are legitimate concerns, we will of course continue to listen and engage.

The importance of calm and measured leadership and of the two governments working together in support of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is clear. The UK and Irish Governments are co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and peace process and as such it is vital that we work together to ensure its protection. I have continued to engage regularly on these issues with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and with the Northern Ireland parties.

I was pleased to co-chair the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) last month. The BIIGC is an important institution of the Good Friday Agreement, and it was positive both that it met for the first time since 2019, and that we agreed that it would be convened again in November.

Alongside East-West relations, economic and security cooperation and other shared ambitions, we were able to discuss how we can, together, best support the stability of all institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. There were also important discussions around the need to make progress on addressing the legacy of the past, and we announced the beginning of an intensive period of engagement on the issue with the Northern Ireland parties, and victims at its heart.

We look forward to continued engagement with counterparts from the Northern Ireland Executive through the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).

The NSMC is essential to oversee and develop North South cooperation on matters of mutual interest. Two successful NSMC plenary meetings have now taken place, as well as a number of Sectoral meetings at Ministerial level, and progress continues across the breadth of North-South areas of cooperation. It is regrettable that it was necessary to postpone the plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council scheduled for 18 June, but planning is underway for this to take place in the weeks ahead.

The Irish Government is continuing to progress the commitments that were made at the time of the New Decade New Approach Agreement, which are focused on working with the Executive to deliver projects that benefit people across the island, including greater connectivity between North and South; investing in the North West region and in border communities; supporting the Irish language in Northern Ireland; and supporting reconciliation as an integral part of the Peace Process. The first implementation review meeting took place in January of this year, which I attended with representatives of the British Government and the Executive. We reaffirmed our shared commitment to the Peace Process.

Furthermore, the Department’s Reconciliation Fund plays a key part in demonstrating in a very practical and tangible way the Government’s commitment to peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. The Reconciliation Fund awards grants to 150-200 projects each year, supporting projects across the community, voluntary, and higher education sectors.

The majority of grants are awarded to groups working within Northern Ireland. These projects build meaningful links across communities, addressing the issues that are impacting on their lives, including sectarianism, and are working to create better understanding between people and traditions on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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168. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there have been discussions with the British authorities since the recent decision of the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service to discontinue the prosecution of a soldier in relation to murders in Derry on Bloody Sunday in 1972 in view of the widespread concerns on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38618/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the decision taken by the Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland not to proceed with the prosecution of 'Soldier F' in relation to charges of murder and attempted murder in Derry on Bloody Sunday, as well as the decision not to prosecute 'Soldier B' in connection with the fatal shooting of Daniel Hegarty also in Derry in 1972.

I know that this is deeply upsetting for all the families involved who have spent so many years in pursuit of justice for their loved ones and our thoughts are with all of them. I am aware there is ongoing due legal process, and as such it would not be appropriate to make any additional comment other than to underline the principle that all victims’ families must have access to an effective investigation and to a process of justice in accordance with the law and regardless of the perpetrator.

Officials from my Department are keeping in contact with the families at this time on behalf of the Government.

It is essential that we make progress in addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland. Our position is that the Stormont House Agreement, which was agreed by the two Governments and political parties, provides the framework to address the legacy of the Troubles. Where the British Government are proposing significant changes to that framework, these must be discussed and agreed by both Governments and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive. Only through a collective approach can we hope to deal with these issues comprehensively and fairly.

At the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 24 June last, we agreed to begin a process of intensive engagement on legacy with the UK Government and the Northern Ireland political parties. The first meetings at working group level have taken place, and meetings should continue throughout the period ahead.

In this current process, the UK Government will have an opportunity to explain their proposals and concerns, as will the parties. The position of the Government has consistently been and remains that the Stormont House Agreement is the way forward, and that where there are concerns around its implementation, we remain open to collective discussion. The objective of this is to find a way forward that can be agreed and that can see progress for families who have been waiting for truth and justice for their loved ones.