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The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., is travelling to Belfast today to participate in talks aimed at the formation of a power-sharing Executive and the implementation of commitments from previous Agreements.
Minister Coveney is meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire and all of the main political parties.
Speaking ahead of today’s meetings, Minister Coveney said:
“The people of Northern Ireland need devolved Government working in the best interests of the whole community. There is ten days within the life-time of the current Assembly to secure the necessary agreement. If we needed any reminder of the urgency of having power-sharing institutions in Stormont, it is the coincidence of the Brexit negotiations beginning in Brussels today.
As the representative of the Irish Government at the talks, I will do my utmost to support the parties in reaching an agreement which ensures that the integrity of the Good Friday Agreement is fully protected, that all of its institutions function effectively and fairly and that previous agreements are honourably implemented. I will spare no effort to fulfil the Government’s duty as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement.”