merrion street

Following the Taoiseach’s phone call with Prime Minister May last night, the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny has had a series of further engagements today.

He met with Gerry Adams and Mary Lou MacDonald at lunchtime, and subsequently had phone calls with Martin McGuinness and Arlene Foster.

He encouraged Sinn Féin and the DUP to engage in efforts to protect the Good Friday Agreement and the institutions established by it, emphasising that this remains the best prospect for progress in Northern Ireland.

Acknowledging the long and difficult personal journeys that many had travelled, he cautioned against letting the progress made since 1998 unravel.

He made clear that he would maintain close contact with Prime Minister May, and that they had agreed that the two Governments would support the parties in efforts to resolve the current difficulties.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire will meet in Belfast tomorrow, and will continue to engage closely with the parties in Northern Ireland.

Commenting on the current situation, the Taoiseach said:

The situation we now face in Northern Ireland is very serious. The best future for Northern Ireland remains in the full implementation of all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, respecting its principles and operating its institutions effectively.

A limited window for dialogue remains and I am encouraging the parties to engage together to find a way forward that delivers on the promise of the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions.