asked the Minister for Justice when the report of the Law Enforcement Commission which was set up following the Sunningdale Conference will be published.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Law Enforcement Commission Report.
31.
The report of the Law Enforcement Commission is addressed jointly to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and to me, as Minister for Justice, and it is hoped that it can be published simultaneously by the British and Irish Governments. Consequently, the decision on the precise date of publication does not rest entirely with me. I would hope, however, that the report can, by agreement, be published within the next two weeks or so.
Is the Minister aware that this question was submitted by me on Friday, 26th April and it appeared on the Order Paper for the first time yesterday? I am asking that supplementary by way of putting that fact on the record, but I have a further supplementary. Could I ask the Minister whether it will be necessary that the recommendations of the law commission be accepted by the respective parties to the Sunningdale Agreement before the resumed meeting following Sunningdale will take place?
That the recommendations be accepted?
Yes.
As the Deputy is aware, the recommendations will be the fruit of this work of the judicial commission, and it would be then a matter for discussions between the Governments concerned as to the acceptance and implementation of the recommendations. Naturally there will have to be acceptance of the recommendations before they will be implemented.
My question was whether acceptance would be a prerequisite of the resumed Sunningdale meeting?
Not necessarily a prerequisite, but I would imagine it would be very desirable.
Would the Minister say whether, in the event of acceptance by his Government and by the Executive of the North of Ireland, it will be necessary to introduce legislation, and if so, how long after acceptance will the necessary legislation be introduced?
Legislation will be necessary consequent on acceptance by this Government and the British Government, and I would anticipate that legislation would follow immediately.
Will we get a reasonable opportunity to debate the legislation?
Yes, like all legislation.
There is something going on at the moment which we have not got much chance to debate.
I can assure the Deputy there will be every opportunity of debating this. He is already aware of the implications involved.