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· Visit will include signature of Agreement on eliminating para-militarism and tackling organised crime

· Minister will also reiterate the need for the British Government to address the All-Party Dáil motion on the Dublin Monaghan bombings

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire MP, will today sign an international agreement in Dublin between the Irish and British Governments.
The Agreement will establish the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC), which will have an important role in the work to bring an end to the remaining vestiges of para-militarism in Northern Ireland.
The Minister and Secretary of State will also engage in talks to discuss a range of Northern Ireland issues including the pressing need to reach agreement on the institutions dealing with the legacy of the past and the challenges posed by a UK exit from the EU.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Minister Flanagan said:
“I look forward to meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire MP, on his first official visit to Dublin and to building on our initial positive engagements.
“This is another landmark day for Northern Ireland as we will be signing, on behalf of our respective governments, the international agreement to establish the Independent Reporting Commission. This is an important step in implementing the Fresh Start Agreement provisions to eliminate para-militarism and tackle organised crime.
“In our talks, we will be discussing the crucial work on dealing with the legacy of the past. This will include discussions on how the ongoing efforts to reach agreement on establishing the Stormont House Institutions can be stepped up and brought to successful conclusion.
“I will also reiterate to the Secretary of State the need to address the All-Party Dáil motion on the Dublin Monaghan bombings.
“As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, it is vital that the Irish and British Governments continue to work together in a spirit of partnership to deliver on the full promise of that agreement and subsequent agreements.
“Of course, we will also be continuing our discussions on the implications for Northern Ireland of a UK-exit from the EU”.

Notes for Editors:
· Establishment of the Independent Report Commission (IRC) is a key element of the Fresh Start Agreement.

· The purpose of the IRC is to promote progress towards ending paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland, in the interests of long term peace and stability and stable and inclusive devolved government in Northern Ireland.

· The IRC treaty between the Irish and British Governments provides for the establishment of the Commission as an international body. The IRC will then need to be established in the domestic law of each jurisdiction, as appropriate.

· The IRC will be a four-member international body established by the UK and Irish Governments. The UK Government and the Irish Government will nominate one member each and the Northern Ireland Executive will nominate two members.

· The IRC will report annually on progress towards ending continuing paramilitary activity
connected with Northern Ireland. IRC reports will inform future NI Executive Programme for Government commitments through to 2021.