Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023
138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor and examine progress in respect of the spirit and the letter of the Good Friday Agreement; and the extent to which he can take further initiatives to promote those elements of the agreement which refer to or require continued action by his Department. [24995/23]
View answerThe full and effective operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a key priority for this Government, across all three Strands - the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland; the North South Ministerial Council and the Cross Border Bodies; and the East-West institutions. The Agreement is designed so that these institutions support and reinforce one another. Supporting, strengthening and effectively implementing the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements remains central to how we approach relationships on these islands.
As a co-Guarantor of the Agreement, together with the British Government, we have a particular responsibility to see these institutions operate as effectively as possible and delivering to the collective benefit of all of our citizens. We also engage regularly with the British Government, with Northern Ireland's political leaders, and with civil society, on the question of elements of the Agreement which are yet to be implemented.
The people of Northern Ireland are entitled to a functioning Assembly and Executive. I met with political representatives in Northern Ireland last week and reiterated the urgent need for a restoration of the power-sharing institutions. Their vote in last May's Assembly elections must be respected, so that the political leadership required if the urgent issues facing communities and families are to be addressed. These include improving access to healthcare, educational attainment and other core service delivery.
The absence of a functioning Executive also has knock-on effects on the operation of Strand Two of the Agreement. I am deeply concerned that the work of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) has been severely disrupted in recent years. In the absence of regular NSMC meetings, the two Administrations on the island are not having the important conversations that we should be having to address shared challenges and opportunities. It is vital that the Council is allowed to continue its work as soon as possible.
My Department also provides support through the Reconciliation Fund and the Shared Island Civic Society Fund to community and civil society organisations working to build better relations within and between traditions in Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between Ireland and Britain, in the framework of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Government continues to prioritise East-West cooperation and engagement through the Strand III institutions. This week, I will attend the 39th Summit of the British-Irish Council in Jersey and, next week,the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in London. These forums provide a unique platform to build relations across these islands and to address common challenges such as climate sustainability, building for the future, and protecting our unique cultures and individual languages. Members of this House also support Strand III engagement through their work with the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly.
The Government will continue to work across all strands of the Good Friday Agreement in support of the devolved power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland.
