Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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61. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any discussions with the Northern Ireland secretary of state, and political parties in Northern Ireland, in relation to the ability of any single party to prevent the operation of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Northern Ireland Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40329/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I had a constructive meeting with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP, on a range of issues when I attended the British Irish Association conference on 6-7 September in Oxford. This followed on earlier engagements with him, shortly after his appointment.

I have been consistent in my view that issues around reform are best addressed from a position of stability, when the institutions are up and running. I expressed that view to the Secretary of State, and also addressed these issues in my remarks at the British Irish Association.

I have previously highlighted some of the issues that we would like to see addressed. They include questions about the ability of any single party to prevent the operation of the Assembly, as well as the Executive; about the use of the Petition of Concern; about advancing a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; about making North/South and East/West cooperation more straight-forward and effective. Any discussions must be founded on the principals of inclusion, parity of esteem, and rigorous impartiality. This is not just a matter for both Governments. The parties in Northern Ireland have to be at the centre of this conversation and civic voices also need to be heard.

Our collective aim should be to make the institutions more stable and effective, while retaining the Agreement’s foundational commitment to meaningful power-sharing, inclusiveness and the rights of all, in the diversity of their identities and traditions. With no elections foreseen before mid-2027, this is the right moment to engage on these issues.