Jim O'Keeffe
Question:10 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions, if any, he has had with the Unionist leaders in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Peace Talks.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:16 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the present progress with peace talks on Northern Ireland reflects to a greater or lesser extent the influence of the Irish Government, the British Government, or either community in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:38 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the meeting with Sir Patrick Mayhew in Dublin on 25 May 1993; his views on the prospects of resuming political talks in Northern Ireland in the aftermath of the local elections there; if he will give an assurance that the Irish Government will not do anything which might obstruct or make more difficult the restarting of political dialogue there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:60 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to have any further meetings with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State before the announcement of new peace talks or other initiatives.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 16, 38 and 60 together.
The search for progress in relation to Northern Ireland remains a key element in the Government's programme. We continue to promote this objective in every way open to us, including through intergovernmental meetings and contacts, wherever possible, with representatives of the constitutional parties in Northern Ireland and with responsible religious and community leaders there.
At the meeting of the Anglo-Irish Conference in Dublin on 25 May, I had an opportunity to discuss with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the prospects for a resumption of talks, now that the local elections in Northern Ireland are out of the way. We confirmed that the two Governments remain fully committed to the talks process, aimed at achieving a comprehensive political settlement which would address adequately all the main relationships. We also agreed that there should be further contacts with the Northern Ireland constitutional parties in relation to the basis for a fresh round of talks. The Secretary of State and I agreed to stay in close contact on this issue.
Deputies will no doubt be aware of a number of statements by Unionist leaders in the interim which have not given grounds for encouragement. However, I assure the House that the Government is determined to persist in its efforts to ensure progress.
There will be an opportunity for a full review of the prospects for talks at the forthcoming meeting between the Taoi-seach and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Major, and for joint consideration of the best way forward.
As the Government programme makes clear, our goal is an accommodation between the two traditions in Ireland based on the principle that both must have equally satisfactory expression and protection. The issue, therefore, is not how much one or other Government or one or other community has an input at any given time, but rather how to find, through a process of dialogue, an accommodation which can be accepted by all. The British and Irish Governments are partners under the Anglo-Irish Agreement. They are, therefore, naturally partners in any search for a new and more broadly based agreement.
As regards contact with Unionist leaders, I am satisfied that they are fully aware of my desire to meet them, in whatever circumstance and format they would find convenient, to enable me to listen to their concerns and to hear at first hand their views on how best to achieve political progress in relation to Northern Ireland.
While it has not been possible to follow this up in practice to the extent I would wish, I want to make it clear that my invitation to the Unionist leaders still stands. I urge them to recognise the critical role of dialogue in the deepening of mutual understanding and in the pursuit of new relationships on this island. We all have a part to play in the search for a comprehensive political settlement which will yield lasting peace, stability and prosperity for both North and South.
It remains the earnest hope of both Governments that all concerned will respond to the desire for peace and dialogue and for a fair and honourable accommodation which has been clearly shown by the overwhelming majority of people in both parts of this island and in Britain.
Will the Minister accept there is much disappointment on my part and, indeed, on the part of many other people in the country that there has not been discussion between himself and the Unionist leaders? We accept that making statements is essentially the dialogue of the deaf and that the only way forward is to have direct discussions. Can the Minister suggest any moves he might make, other than the general invitation to which he referred, which would encourage the Unionist leaders to respond to his invitation to have discussions?
It sounds like a very gentle west Cork question. I have made it perfectly clear that I want to have discussions with the politicians in the North. I have taken the opportunity to have meetings with members of the Unionist party whenever possible. Unfortunately, the leaders of the Unionist parties have made it known publicly that they are not, at present at any rate, willing or available to come for discussions. We have a responsibility as politicians on this island to make ourselves available for discussions to see if we can bring about peace. I have expressed my views on that on many occasions and I will continue to do so. I will do everything possible to ensure that dialogue recommences. I do not want to give the impression that I am attempting to lecture anybody but I feel very strongly that it is incumbent on politicians to seek a resolution to the conflict in this island without preconditions. I will pursue that course.
From the point of view of pursuing this very worthy objective of having discussions with Unionist leaders, will the Minister agree that it could be helpful if there was clear confirmation from him and his Government of a willingness to amend Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution in the context of an overall settlement? Will he accept that if there was a clear statement from him and his Government it would help to encourage——
That is an additional subject matter to that question.
——talks with Unionist leaders. This is the issue, as you are well aware, and I ask the Minister to respond to that specific question.
The matter of amending our Constitution is ultimately a matter for the people. As I said on many occasions, constitutional matters should be discussed between the politicians on this island in the context of setting out a future for the relationships between North and South and between London and Dublin. I have made my position very clear. I do not think it is very helpful at this stage to set down pre-conditions. Our constitutional position causes difficulties but they should be expressed in the context of talks.
Will the Minister agree that one of the obstacles — apart from Articles 2 and 3 — clearly referred to by Unionist leaders, is the ongoing discussions between the leader of the SDLP and the leader of Sinn Féin and the joint statements issued by those two leaders in Northern Ireland? As long as that continues it is highly unlikely that serious talks can get underway or that the Nationalist and Unionist leaders will get round a table in Northern Ireland. In relation to the recently published Opsahl Commission document will he agree that its suggestions should be seriously examined by all politicians who are concerned about the future of Northern Ireland given that they are the condensed views of approximately 3,000 people, mostly from Northern Ireland, who are suffering daily at the hands of terrorist gangs from all sides?
In relation to the discussions which John Hume is having, I have made my views very clear, it is a matter for him. John Hume dedicated his political life to establishing a peaceful resolution to the conflict on this island. I have said I would trust his judgment in relation to whom he talks, when he talks to people and how many times he talks to them. I recommend the Opsahl Commission report as essential reading for anybody who wants to understand the present situation in Northern Ireland. I have had the opportunity to read most of it and whereas it is very clear it is not setting out a prescription or a formula whereby this problem would be solved overnight it is a very interesting study and should be supported by everybody. I regret the rather predictable reaction from certain quarters, from people who should know better and who should have treated it more generously. It should be read by anybody who has an interest in the Northern Ireland political problems because, as the Deputy said, it reflects the views of over 3,000 people who have lived with strife for the past 23 years.
To what extent if any, has the Minister established common ground with any or all of the communities involved in the discussions which are likely to take place? Is he satisfied that the Government has established clearly a common approach in relation to the entire matter.
The Government has a common approach in relation to the entire matter and that is set out clearly in the programme for Government. We are trying to find an accommodation for the two traditions in Northern Ireland. There is no difficulty in that regard. We are pursuing the policy area as outlined in the Programme for Government and we will continue to do so
Has it been drawn to the attention of the Tánaiste that, following his meeting with Sir Patrick Mayhew last Tuesday, the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Jim Molyneaux, once again asserted that differences between the Irish and British Governments were an impediment to progress in the talks process? In relation to the remarks about the Hume/Adams talks, would the Tánaiste agree that a successful outcome to such talks would entirely transform the position. It might be worthwhile to recall the adage, "fools rush in where angels fear to thread" in regard to matters of this nature.
The remarks made by the leader of the Official Unionist Party, Jim Molyneaux, have been brought to my attention informally. I have not seen them, in print, nor have they been brought to my attention by officials of my Department. Those remarks are regrettable. Both the British and Irish Governments are determined to resume the talks process because we believe that dialogue is essential if we are to make progress. All the political leaders must realise that we have to talk about how we will conduct our lives and the political institutions on this island in a peaceful manner. The serious difficulties on this island cannot be allowed to continue without people taking responsibility.
I have responded already on the Hume/Adams talks and I trust and respect John Hume's judgment.
Would the Tánaiste agree that, rather than responding to demands for unilateral agreement to change Articles 2 and 3, it might be useful for the Government to publish a paper on the implications of those Articles so that public debate here and in Northern Ireland might be educated and that Unionists, who attach so much importance to the Articles, might have an opportunity to examine some of the thinking behind them?
I will always welcome widespread and constructive debate on constitutional matters and on issues relating to public life and politics on this island. The question of publishing a paper in relation to any aspect of our Constitution has not been considered. However, as the Deputy has raised it, I will give it some consideration.
Has the Tánaiste had time to consider the remarks in the British House of Commons earlier this week by the former British Prime Minister, Sir Edward Heath, to the effect he felt that any further talks with members of the DUP or the Reverend Ian Paisley would be a waste of time? Will the Tánaiste indicate whether he agrees with that statement?
I have been preoccupied since last Sunday evening with the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg and I have not had time to consider the remarks made by Sir Edward Heath, but I will give them consideration.
I would suggest to Deputy Currie that I never referred to John Hume as a fool, although I regard what he is doing as foolish.
I did not say that.
The only outcome so far from the talks with Mr. Adams is a strengthened position for Sinn Féin on Belfast City Council. With regard to the statement issued by Mr. Hume and Mr. Adams that they reject an internal solution, will the Tánaiste agree that an internal solution is the only feasible and practical solution likely to emerge from any talks and that it is extremely foolish to rule out such options even before the democratic politicians in Northern Ireland agree to sit around the table?
As I said at the outset, it is foolish to rule anything in or out in relation to these discussions. There should not be any preconditions. It is essential that politicians who want to bring about a solution to the problems in Northern Ireland should make themselves available so that we can resume the dialogue.
Would the Tánaiste accept that there is a great sense of concern and frustration at the lack of progress and delay in getting talks under way? Will he indicate the timetable to which the Government is working at present? What are his expectations in the short to medium term so that the sense of concern and frustration might be relieved and people could look forward with some hope and confidence to the future?
Obviously, I would like to allay any fears which are causing concern to Deputy O'Keeffe and others, but it is difficult to put a timeframe on this matter. At our last meeting the Secretary of State and I said we would do everything possible to resume the process of dialogue. The Secretary of State is having a series of bilateral meetings with the leaders of political parties in Northern Ireland. I have told them I am available if they wish to contact me. We are hoping that we might get the talks process in train prior to the summer with a view to serious dialogue in the autumn. Obviously, it depends on the day to day response from the various political leaders.
I wish the Minister every success and I hope it works.