Talks aimed at resolving issues that have threatened the North’s power-sharing Executive will resume this morning.
Discussions involving the five main Northern parties and the British and Irish governments will seek to make headway on issues such as the Stormont parties failure to agree welfare reforms, matters relating to flags, and continuing divisions about how to deal with the past.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he welcomed the commencement of the talks in Stormont this morning, and that “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," he said. "This can only be achieved through political leaders being prepared to engage constructively. People from all traditions across this island support these goals and want to see progress."
He said he remained in "close contact" with British prime minister David Cameron, and that both of them agree "now is the time" for party leaders to "seize the opportunity" of these talks to find a way forward and secure "the prize of a peaceful, prosperous and shared Northern Ireland".
"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," he said. "Prime minister Cameron and I want to see this process succeed."
Speaking ahead of the resumption of talks today, Mr Cameron said “the time is right” for a new round of talks to be convened to help resolve the differences between parties in the Northern Ireland Executive.
“It is essential that we do all that we can to lift the blockages that are preventing the Executive from delivering the effective government that the people of Northern Ireland expect and deserve,” he said.
“Northern Ireland’s politicians need to deal with these issues so that they can focus on the key priorities of building a stronger, healthier economy, and a genuinely shared society. But while the Government can help, ultimately it is for Northern Ireland political leaders to take these issues forward. I trust, therefore, that all parties will approach these talks constructively and with a genuine willingness to succeed.”
The Irish Government will be represented at the talks by Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan while the British government will be represented by Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers. Both will report back to Dublin and London respectively on the progress of the talks.
