Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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242. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regarding the need to have the assembly and Executive restored and fully functioning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56016/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have regular meetings and telephone contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton Harris.  Our last conversation was yesterday, 9 November, in advance of the Secretary of State's statement to the House of Commons announcing his intention to extend the period for Executive formation. We will remain in close contact in the period ahead.

My discussions with the Secretary of State are within the framework of by our shared commitment to the full functioning of Northern Ireland's political institutions.  I firmly believe that by working together in a spirit of cooperation we can jointly find solutions to the range of issues facing Northern Ireland.

It is of paramount importance that the institutions of power-sharing are allowed to function. The Government’s views on this have been clear and consistent. The people of Northern Ireland voted for, and expect, an Assembly and Executive that works for them in these challenging times.

I welcome yesterday’s announcement by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland of his intention to extend the period during which the Northern Ireland parties can form an Executive on the basis of last May’s Assembly election. Furthermore, I welcome the Secretary of State’s commitment to provide clarity on a budget for Northern Ireland and on the ability of Northern Ireland Government Departments to make limited decisions essential to the continued functioning of services.

The Secretary of State’s announcement provides further space for early substantive progress in discussions between the EU and UK on the issues of most concern to people and business in NI. I urge the UK authorities to make use of this renewed opportunity to engage positively, and with real urgency, in the knowledge that the European Commission has listened carefully to the concerns of people across Northern Ireland, including and especially Unionists.