Peter Barry
Question:1 Mr. Barry asked the Taoiseach whether a timetable for the three strands of talks on Northern Ireland was agreed to with the British Prime Minister at their meeting at the European Summit.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Talks.
Dick Spring
Question:2 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if he will outline, as a matter of urgency, the reasons for the delay in the commencement of Strand III of the Anglo-Irish talks; if he will confirm whether the Irish Government gave a commitment that a meeting involving Ministers would take place this week in order to set the agenda for Strand III; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:3 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if, in view of (a) the serious concern expressed by the two Unionist parties and the Alliance party concerning the future of the Northern Ireland talks, and (b) the view expressed by the Alliance leader (details supplied) that the Irish Government was placing the whole process in jeopardy and was responsible for stalling the momentum of the talks, he will outline the Government's position; if the planned Strand III talks will be held next week; if the Irish Government will be represented at ministerial level; if he will outline any other steps he intends to take to ensure that the talks continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3 together.
The statement made by former Secretary of State, Mr. Brooke, in the House of Commons on 26 March, 1991, sets out the framework and conditions for the current talks on Northern Ireland. The terms of this statement were agreed before it was made by the two Governments and all the parties participating in the talks.
When consulted about the proposals of 12 June, the Government agreed to them as set out in the statement issued by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the same day. On Friday 19 June we participated in a meeting involving representatives of the two Governments and the four parties to discuss a possible agenda for Strand II. I think all parties would agree that this was a constructive meeting.
The Irish and British Governments held a meeting in London yesterday which gave preliminary consideration to the issues likely to arise in Strand III of the talks. The Government were represented by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Justice. Representatives from each of the four Northern Ireland political parties participating in the talks also attended. This was also a useful meeting.
We believe that by now the way should be clear for the early transition to Strand III. One of the conditions of the talks process is that confidentiality will be observed by all parties. It is particularly important at this point in the talks that this condition be strictly observed. As I did last week, I will keep the Leaders of the main parties in the House informed confidentially of the progress of the talks, from time to time.
At my meeting with the British Prime Minister in the margins of the European Council meeting in Lisbon we reviewed progress on the talks to date.
Of course I would have no wish whatever to say or do anything that would hinder the prospect of bringing peace in Northern Ireland through the talks now taking place within three strands. Does the Taoiseach appreciate or agree with me that progress on all three stands is essential and that, while yesterday's meeting in London was important, relations between all the people on these islands is crucial? Would the Taoiseach agree that the moving forward of all three strands simultaneously to a common conclusion date — I think 27 July is the date anticipated for the conclusion of all three strands — is essential? I would hope the Taoiseach would agree and would ask his representatives and Minister to work towards the completion of negotiations on all three strands by that date?
I appreciate what Deputy Barry says and his and his party's approach to the overall position on the three stands. I am sure he will be aware that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is having a meeting with the leaders of the political parties in the House of Commons today. We would all hope that the way is now clear to continue on to Stand II and to continue progress on all strands of the talks in parallel.
Needless to say, one would not want to jeopardise the negotiating position of the Government. I want to express my thanks publicly to the Taoiseach for the briefing I was given last week in relation to some uncertainties which had arisen. The Taoiseach has said in his reply that the way seems clear for an early transition to Strand II. Will he say when that will be clarified? Second, does the Taoiseach foresee this process perhaps arriving at an interim resolution or conclusion by the end of this month, or are we talking about an adjournment until the autumn?
I appreciate what Deputy Spring says in relation to his and his party's approach to these talks as well. I might point out to him that the decision to call Strand II will be one for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Sir Patrick Mayhew, when he considers that to be appropriate. It was agreed that the Strand II talks would be called in a matter of weeks after the completion of Strand I. While the meeting taking place today is on strand I, one must await the outcome of those talks before speculating any further.
Probably it would be in order for me, on behalf of my party, to congratulate all the parties who took part in the talks in London yesterday on succeeding in ensuring that the talks process will continue. We would all agree that it is of the utmost importance that the process does continue regardless of how long it might take, although we should all like to see the talks move much faster.
I have two questions to put to the Taoiseach: first, whether at this stage he can indicate when he believes the Strand II meetings might take place; whether, as is suggested, they might take place on a preliminary basis before the end of this month and then get into substantive issues in the autumn? Second, would the Taoiseach indicate quite clearly, so that there would be no misunderstanding in any quarter, that the Government's position is based solely on the question of how accommodation can be reached between the parties and people of Northern Ireland to enable them to live in peace with each other and that their position is not in any way dictated by any other party participating in the talks?
I do not think that anybody or any of the parties concerned, certainly in so far as I am aware, doubt the good faith of the Irish Government in approaching those talks. As we are all aware, the Strand I talks continued for a considerable period of time and there was a considerable amount of progress made within Strand I. Then it became necessary to sit down and look, in a formative way, at the items that might be discussed in Strand II, which involves the leaders of the different parties in the North and the Government here in Dublin sitting down together. The meeting to settle that agenda took place and was very constructive. Then we moved on to having the formative meeting yesterday in London to look at the items on the agenda for Strand III and that too was a constructive dialogue between all parties. Now the Secretary of State moves on today to have a Strand I meeting with the heads of the various parties in the North of Ireland and it is his decision to call Strand II talks. I do not see any other obstacles at this stage to calling Strand II talks, but it is Sir Patrick Mayhew's decision. That was the agreement reached in the very early stages of this process.
I appreciate the co-operation of the Taoiseach in answering those questions. I hope he will appreciate the concern of those who are not part of the process that the quality of the meetings appears to be different from where we sit. Strands I and III have been attended by Ministers whereas the preliminary meeting of Strand II was attended by officials. Therefore it is important that we convey to the Secretary of State, at least informally, that the decision to announce the date of the serious Strand II meeting would be reassuring to many people.
I accept what the Deputy says in relation to this. He can take it that the Secretary of State, Sir Patrick Mayhew, is aware of our views, which incidentally, coincide with the views expressed by Deputy Barry here today.
The Taoiseach's understanding is that the way is now clear for an early transition to Strand II. It is obviously, as he has said, a decision for the Secretary of State. Can I take it that, with the momentum and the dynamic of yesterday's meeting, it is now really a matter of form before we move on to the substantive Strand II talks?
The decision to call Strand II is a decision for Sir Patrick Mayhew and I am not going to speculate in advance of today's meeting with the leaders of the parties in Northern Ireland.
Question No. 4 in the name of Deputy Ruairí Quinn has been postponed.