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Taoiseach Enda Kenny has welcomed the commencement of political talks between Northern Ireland Executive parties in Belfast today.

The Taoiseach said:

I welcome the commencement of the political talks in Stormont this morning.

Discussion and dialogue has always been and remains the key to resolving differences and making progress on challenging issues.

The people of Northern Ireland deserve a peaceful society, a prosperous economy and, above all, a bright future for their young people. This can only be achieved through political leaders being prepared to engage constructively.

The Government will participate constructively along with the British Government in accordance with the framework of the Good Friday Agreement to support and encourage the talks.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan is representing the Government at the talks. Before travelling to Belfast, the Minister said:

Working with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I look forward in the period ahead to constructively engaging with the leaders of the Northern Ireland Executive parties and to advancing progress on each of these key issues.

Agreement can, of course, only be reached by the parties themselves. However, in our roles as co-guarantors of the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements, the two Governments have an important role to play in encouraging and facilitating such agreement.

Read the Taoiseach’s full statement here.

Read Minister Flanagan’s full statement here