Vol. 430 No. 4
56 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the series of meetings between the SDLP Leader, Mr. John Hume, and Mr. Gerry Adams; his views on the possible implications for the resumption of dialogue between the democratic parties in Northern Ireland of these meetings; if he intends to meet with Mr. Gerry Adams, or any other representative of Sinn Féin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Mr. Hume's decision was taken by him in his capacity as leader of his party. He has made clear that he was motivated solely by the hope that his actions would advance the cause of peace and lead to a cessation of violence in favour to a general agreement that all political differences relating to the political future of this island can and must be settled exclusively by peaceful, political means. Mr. Hume is a politician of great integrity and experience whose long record of opposition to violence and commitment to the cause of peace and reconciliation speaks for itself. I believe he has considered very carefully the issues raised by these contacts and reached his judgment in the light of these objectives.
In spite of the reluctance of some party leaders to resume dialogue at present (a reluctance which of course predates Mr. Hume's meetings with Mr. Adams), the Government remains committed to the urgent resumption of such dialogue to address comprehensively all of the relationships involved. There is no logical reason why these talks, which explicitly set out "to achieve a new beginning for relationships" and to "give adequate expression to the totality of relationships" should in any way be threatened by an endeavour on anyone's part to persuade those who resort to violence to commit themselves instead to the political process.
There are no plans for any meetings between Government representatives and Mr. Adams or any other representative of Sinn Fein and there is no change in the long-standing Government policy on this issue.
