Vol. 408 No. 7
4 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the latest information available to the Government in relation to the progress made to date in the Brooke talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
5 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on current political developments in Northern Ireland.
I propose to take Priority Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
As Deputies are aware, it has not yet been possible for the round-table talks to get under way on an agreed basis. The Government share the very widespread sense of disappointment at the further delays being encountered. However, it is our belief that, with further intensive and constructive efforts all round, the present difficulties can and indeed must be overcome. For our part, we will continue to make every possible effort to facilitate agreement.
Would the Minister indicate the Government's position on the difficulties which have arisen with regard to the location of the second phase and the question of an independent chairperson? Would he also indicate that the three-phase structure, which I understood had been agreed, remains as announced by Mr. Brooke in the House of Commons some weeks ago, or if this structure has been amended in any way? Would he inform the House the steps which he thinks the Government can take to facilitate the commencement of the round table talks?
As I said already, I do not believe it would be helpful if I were to go into the details of the issues currently under discussion.
Would the Minister agree that the only people who can gain from a breakdown of the initiative are the Provos and the other terrorists on this island? Second, has the Minister any further initiative in mind which might ensure that substantive talks get under way? He mentioned that every possible effort would be made to facilitate agreement. Has he any specific initiative in mind?
I would like to take this opportunity to underline the vital importance of these talks and the need for all participants to ensure that their negotiating approach is commensurate with the gravity of the problems which the talks are seeking to address. Indeed, the further deaths in Northern Ireland during the past week must surely reinforce the determination of all involved to get down to the crucial task of seeking an agreed way forward through the political process.
I accept that the Minister has to be careful in what he says on these matters but I would remind him that he is speaking in the Irish House of Parliament and that it would be helpful to all concerned, both the Members in this House and the other participants, if the Government now indicated what their view is on how things stand at present. My earlier question was whether the three-phase structure originally agreed remains intact and if the apparent amendment, arising from the meetings between the Unionist leaders and the British Prime Minister, has the agreement of the Government and if the apparent difference of opinion between the response of the Department of the Taoiseach last Friday and that of the Department of Foreign Affairs is of significance in the current situation.
Let us have regard to brevity, especially when dealing with Priority Questions. The need must be obvious.
I do not wish to get into a dispute with you——
The questioning is very long.
——but it is my understanding with regard to priority questions that spokespersons on matters of this mind are enabled to question the Minister at length on specific issues. I understood that that was the purpose of priority questions.
I am afraid that would not be possible in 15 minutes, Deputy.
That was the position which was promoted when this priority question session was introduced. In the light of what I have said, would the Minister be more forthcoming on what is happening? It would not be helpful if the Government were seen to be sitting back and not to have a view at the current time.
Do not be more forthcoming.
There is one essential point which should be made. It would be very wrong if anyone were to do anything to undermine the integrity of the process. It has been very clear from the outset that there are three interwoven strands none of which can be dealt with in isolation. To allow any one strand to be detached would be to undermine everything that has been achieved during the past 16 months, including the agreement that Mr. Brooke was able to announce in the House of Commons on 26 March last.
A final question from Deputy O'Keeffe.
Can the Minister give the House an assurance that, in so far as anything can be reasonably done by the Government to help get substantive talks under way, this will be done?
I have no hesitation whatsoever in assuring the House that the degree of flexibility which has been synonymous with our approach to the issue from the very beginning will be continued and maintained.
