Work is proceeding in my Department on taking forward the commitments made by the Government in the British-Irish Agreement in relation to those elements of the Agreement for which my Department is responsible. These arise in a number of areas covered by the Agreement including, in particular, those sections dealing with rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity, decommissioning, security and prisoners.
Giving effect to those elements of the Agreement for which the Department is responsible is identified as an important objective in the Department's recently published Strategy Statement covering the period between now and 2000. This is in keeping with the Department's key high level goal of contributing to the establishment of a lasting peace on the island of Ireland.
The necessary administrative arrangements, including making the necessary budgetary and personnel provision, have been and continue to be made to enable the Department to fulfil these obligations. In addition, a mechanism has been established to co-ordinate the work involved and to ensure that the targets which I have set, consistent with the terms of the Agreement, for this purpose are met. This work is further assisted by my Department's participation in the InterDepartmental Steering Group of Officials established by the Government to co-ordinate the implementation of the Agreement.