I propose to take Questions Nos. 4, 5 and 6 together.
At yesterday's meeting of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in London, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland confirmed that, in order to allow a further opportunity for political talks to take place on the basis announced by the then Secretary of State in the House of Commons on 26 March 1991, there will be no further meeting of the conference before the week beginning 27 July 1992. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the principles and terms of 26 March 1991 statement. The two Governments expressed the strong hope that, with the co-operation of all involved, this further opportunity for talks will achieve a new beginning for relationships within Northern Ireland, within the island of Ireland and between the peoples of these islands.
The Government warmly welcome the resumption of political dialogue. We are fully supportive of this process and we stand ready to adopt an open and constructive approach at all times. This dialogue represents an historic opportunity to lay firm foundations upon which a durable and just peace can be built. It is potentially of great importance to all the people on this island and we share the common interest in bringing the process forward to full fruition. With the political process now offering a new way forward, I appeal to those who advocate or perpetrate violence to abandon it in favour of dialogue. The pursuit of political objectives through violence can never succeed because such means contravene totally the wishes of the vast majority of men and women on this island. It must surely be clear to all, that 22 years of violence has brought nothing but sorrow and suffering and has not furthered any political objective.
Regarding the possibility of a further meeting with the British Prime Minister, the Deputy will be aware of the agreement that the Taoiseach and British Prime Minister should meet twice yearly to discuss matters of mutual interest. This agreement remains in place. The first of these meetings took place on 26 February 1992 and, as I stated in the House on 3 March 1992, the British Prime Minister and I agreed to remain in touch and to continue the understanding about meetings at least twice yearly. A date for our next meeting will, in accordance with normal practice, be announced close to the time of the meeting.