Minister Flanagan To Meet NI Secretary Of State

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, is due to meet James Brokenshire, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, today to sign an international agreement in Dublin between the Irish and British Governments.

The new Agreement will establish the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC), aimed at bringing to an end 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 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."

(MH/JP)