Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

170. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken recently with the President of 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. [38695/21]

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

The Government is continuing to work together with President Biden and the US Administration on our strong and positive bilateral agenda, including in relation to Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement.

A longstanding commitment to peace on the island of Ireland continues to be felt strongly in the United States. The Good Friday Agreement and the Peace Process in Northern Ireland are not simply an achievement of the Irish and British Governments and the political representatives of the people of Northern Ireland, but one to which successive US Administrations and Members of Congress have also contributed.

The role of the US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland has been greatly valued by the Irish Government over many years. The appointment of a Special Envoy would be warmly welcomed by the Government. In any circumstances, the US will undoubtedly continue to play a vital role in supporting peace, stability and prosperity in Northern Ireland.

I am grateful that President Biden continues to make an important contribution to this ongoing effort, as he has done consistently throughout his career to date, and that the US continues to stand in support of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Government greatly values the continued support, friendship and engagement of the US on the Peace Process, and for the stability and prosperity of Northern Ireland. I know these messages were reiterated by the Taoiseach during his St. Patrick's Day engagements in the US in March.

I also met virtually with the Friends of Ireland Caucus in the US Congress in March, and in May with National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan. These meetings, as well as the recent statements from President Biden’s Administration, underline once again the bipartisan support from US’s most senior political figures for stability in Northern Ireland and safeguarding the gains of the Good Friday Agreement.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

171. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he or his officials have spoken either in person or virtually to the head of a company (details supplied) since the contract was signed with the company in 2019 to provide aircraft to the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38189/21]

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

The contract to purchase two Airbus C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was signed in December 2019 on behalf of the then Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe, T.D. by the former Secretary General, Mr Maurice Quinn and the former Assistant Secretary General, Mr Des Dowling. There have been no official meetings with the person (details supplied) since I was appointed as Minister for Defence in June 2020 or with my predecessor since the contract was signed in 2019.

However, there is ongoing regular engagement at Programme Manager level between the civil and military joint project team officials in my Department and members of the Air Corps with the project team members in Airbus Defence and Space. I am advised that work is progressing on the manufacturing and fit out of the new aircraft and the project is on track with delivery scheduled for 2023.