Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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34. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade what continued efforts he is making in regard to restoring the Northern Ireland Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3316/24]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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55. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline recent efforts by him and his Department to assist in re-establishing the Northern Ireland Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3141/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 55 and 57 together.

It is hugely disappointing that Northern Ireland remains without functioning devolved government so long after the May 2022 Assembly elections. The absence of an Assembly and an Executive is now undermining people’s faith in politics.

It is essential that the Good Friday Agreement operates across all its Strands. The absence of devolved Strand One institutions in Belfast also means that North South Ministerial Council, established under Strand Two, cannot operate fully.

I have been in close contact with Northern Ireland’s political parties and also with counterparts in the British Government, in particular Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris, on our shared priority of restoration of the institutions. On 20 December, I spoke with Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris. During meetings in Dublin of the British-Irish Council on 24 November and the British Irish Inter-Governmental Conference on 28 November, I had a number of in-person engagements with Secretary of State Heaton-Harris. In our ongoing conversations, the Secretary of State and I have exchanged views on the urgent need for the Executive, Assembly and North South Ministerial Council to be restored to full and sustainable operation.

These meetings highlight the importance of structures of the Good Friday Agreement for engagement between the two Governments. A strong partnership approach from both Governments remains central to addressing the range of issues facing Northern Ireland. The importance of such coordination is only underlined by periods of instability like the one Northern Ireland is currently facing.

Last week saw major strike action across Northern Ireland, involving workers from a range of vital public services, which underlined the widespread impacts of almost two years without a functioning Executive on people and public services.

Last week also saw another deadline to form an Executive pass without result. A similar deadline was extended by primary legislation this time last year, which serves to highlight the length of time that Northern Ireland has been without functioning institutions. Yesterday, Westminster passed legislation to extend the window to form an Executive until 8 February. I know that Deputies across this House will join me in hoping that this short window is used to take the urgently needed decision to restore the Executive.

I am keenly aware of the level and depth of frustration among ordinary citizens, businesses, and elected politicians at the ongoing blockage of the institutions, who want to see Stormont get back to work. I am also conscious of the increasingly urgent need for decisions on issues that affect the day-to-day lives of the people of Northern Ireland. It is clear that other parties elected to the Assembly – each of which has a democratic mandate – are enormously frustrated at being prevented from doing the work they were elected to do. In my engagements, I have been clear that the current situation cannot be allowed to drift indefinitely.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has outlined that there is a significant financial package of £3.3 billion pounds that will be delivered, including funds for public pay and services, contingent on the restoration of the Executive. The decision to continue the blockage – and to continue the deterioration of core services that has accompanied it – is a political one, that belongs to one party. However, I truly believe that it is in everyone’s interest – regardless of constitutional or community outlook – to get all of the Good Friday Agreement institutions back up and running.

A restored Executive working collectively is best placed to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland and to ensure that Northern Ireland’s specific needs and challenges are addressed. The Government is ready to engage constructively with any new Executive to assist and to work together in areas where North South cooperation could make a positive difference.