Irish minister corrected over claim he is co-chairing NI meeting
The Irish foreign minister has wrongly claimed that he is to help chair a meeting in Belfast.
Charlie Flanagan sent out a statement on Wednesday evening saying that he would co-chair a gathering on Thursday designed to check how well the ‘Fresh Start’ agreement is being implemented, along with Secretary of State Theresa Villiers MP.
Ahead of his meeting with Northern Irish party leaders, he said in a statement: “Together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I am looking forward to co-chairing the first review meeting on the implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement.
“The meeting is an opportunity to review with the leaders of the parties in Northern Ireland the progress that has been made to date, including on work to end paramilitarism.”
However, as a minister with a non-UK government, Mr Flanagan will not act as co-chair at the meeting.
The meeting is to be chaired exclusively by Ms Villiers, as representative of the Government of the UK, although it is understood that government officials do not wish to create a public fuss around the issue.
The ‘Fresh Start’ deal, agreed largely by between Sinn Fein and the DUP, was announced on November 17, 2015.
It sought to address issues which the earlier Stormont House Agreement (announced on December 23, 2014) had failed to gain agreement on.
Ahead of the meetings, Theresa Villiers said: “I am looking forward to welcoming the First and Deputy First Ministers, the Executive parties and Minister Flanagan to Stormont House today for the implementation Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements progress review.
“We have made significant progress since November.
“Welfare reform legislation is in place, a Joint Agency Task Force on organised crime established and a panel appointed to make recommendations on disbanding paramilitary groups.
“Work also continues with victims’ representatives and others on finding a way forward to address the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past.
“There are substantial challenges.
“Today’s meeting will help us deliver vital steps towards a brighter more secure future for Northern Ireland.”
While in Belfast, Mr Flanagan will also hold his first official meeting with Arlene Foster in her new role as First Minister.