Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is committed to the principles of "parity of esteem and of just and equal treatment for the identity, ethos and aspirations of both communities". To this end, engaging with all political traditions and all communities in Northern Ireland is at the heart of our approach to supporting peace and reconciliation. The Government remains committed to maintaining a good working relationship with the British government in our shared role as co-guarantors of the Agreement and engages regularly at all levels.

Since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have made numerous visits to Northern Ireland and met with diverse interlocutors, including Northern Ireland party leaders, business representatives and community organisations supported by my Department. Since December 2022, I have also had over 20 meetings with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland within and outside the structures established under the Good Friday Agreement, with meetings in Dublin, Belfast and London. I look forward to continuing positive engagement with the new British government following next month's General Election.

My Department’s Reconciliation Fund was established in 1982 to support civil society organisations in creating a better understanding and relations between people and traditions on the island of Ireland, and between Ireland and Britain. Since its establishment, the Fund has disbursed over €65 million in grant assistance to over 3,000 projects.

To further encourage efforts to build meaningful connections, cooperation and trust between different communities and traditions, as Taoiseach, I launched the Shared Island Initiative in 2020. Through that Initiative, we have raised the level of ambition for what can be achieved through all-island partnerships, in research, in people-to-people links and in infrastructure - earlier this year, the Government announced significant investment in the A5 and the Dublin - Belfast rail link, while construction has started on the Narrow Water Bridge linking the Cooleys to the Mournes. Earlier this month, I was present in Clones for the opening of the next phase of the Ulster Canal, which when completed will link the Lagan to Limerick.

The Government continues to engage with all relevant stakeholders to support the implementation of the Windsor Framework. It remains critical that the framework is implemented fully and in good faith so that we can protect and bolster cross-Border trade links to the benefit of all parts of this, our shared island, and help Northern Ireland take full advantage of the economic opportunity it now has.

The restoration of the Executive and Assembly earlier this year represents another important milestone in the ongoing journey to consolidating peace and reconciliation. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is committed to ensuring the full and effective functioning of all three strands of the Agreement, and will work tirelessly with partners in Northern Ireland and in Britain to that end.