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The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charles Flanagan TD, was in Belfast this evening (Thursday) for a bilateral meeting with James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

The meeting took place in the context of the recent political developments in Northern Ireland leading to the calling of fresh Assembly elections which will take place on 2 March.

Speaking after the meetings, Minister Flanagan said:

The Irish Government is fully committed to the Good Friday Agreement and protecting the integrity of its core principles and supporting the stable operation of its interlocking institutions.

The Secretary of State and I discussed the current political situation and the role of the Governments in providing assurance and support to the institutions at this challenging time. We also spoke about recent developments on Brexit, specifically the implications for Northern Ireland, as well as legacy issues including progress on establishing the Stormont House legacy architecture and addressing the Dáil motion on the Dublin Monaghan bombings.

As the Assembly election campaign gets underway, I continue to urge all parties to act responsibly in word and deed. We must all be mindful that effective devolved Government, underpinned by a genuine spirit of partnership, is what the people of Northern Ireland voted for in 1998 and what they expect their politicians to deliver.

As a co-guarantor of that Agreement, the Irish Government will continue to work with the British Government and the political parties to fulfil the full promise of that Agreement and to advance political stability, reconciliation and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland.”

Minister Flanagan and the Secretary of State will also attend an event this evening to mark the 30th anniversary of the International Fund for Ireland.