Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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193. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts that his Department is making to restore the Executive in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54077/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The full and effective functioning of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is essential.

Following the appointment of Chris Heaton Harris as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, he and I have met regularly, including at the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in London on 7 October and in Belfast on 12 and 19 October. Among the issues we have discussed was the pathway towards restoring the Executive in Belfast. I have also raised with the Secretary of State and, separately with the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly in our meeting on 6 October, the need for UK to make progress in its negotiations with the EU on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. My colleague, Minister of State Brophy, met with Steve Baker, Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office, on 24 October, on the question of Executive formation.

On 12 October, I met with four of the main political party leaders in Northern Ireland. We discussed the challenges and frustrations facing the parties as they seek to form an Executive and the prospect of a winter election. On 17 October, the Taoiseach met with all five political party leaders.

I understand and appreciate the concerns that have been raised as a justification for not returning to the Executive. However, these concerns are being taken seriously and are the subject of EU-UK negotiations – there is no reason why the blockage of Northern Ireland’s institutions should continue in the meantime.

The Government, politicians and officials will remain in close contact with UK Ministers and officials seeking the restoration of the Executive and Institutions and the strengthening of the Good Friday Agreement. I firmly believe that by working together in a spirit of cooperation solutions to the range of issues facing Northern Ireland can be found.