Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 1995

Vol. 455 No. 1

Written Answers. - Peace Process.

Helen Keogh

Question:

27 Ms Keogh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to concerns that the peace process in Northern Ireland is in danger of breaking down; the measures, if any, the Government proposes to take to prevent such an eventuality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11721/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

All of us know that the search for lasting peace is an extraordinarily complex process and that there will be many difficulties along the way. These have been overcome in the past and I am confident this will continue to be the case.

At the same time, it is important to keep these inevitable difficulties in perspective. We must not lose sight of the many positive achievements recorded so far in the peace process.

Since last August, no one on this island has died in the name of any political cause. Each passing day demonstrates ever more conclusively that the ceasefires are intended to be permanent.

We have seen over the past nine months a steady consolidation of the peace and an inexorable momentum towards an inclusive talks process which, I hope, will produce the comprehensive agreement which we all so dearly wish to see.

The challenge for all sides now is to translate the absence of violence into a lasting and just peace. The Government are working hard to bring about a process of inclusive political dialogue which will lead the way towards a lasting political settlement.

The Irish Government has recently invited the political parties in Northern Ireland to engage in bilateral discussions with us. We hope that all sides will feel able to respond positively to this invitation to dialogue on an informal basis and on an entirely open agenda.

There is now a unique opportunity on this island to build a new future for all the people of Ireland, North and South. The only way forward is to proceed with urgency towards comprehensive political negotiations. The Government will do everything in our power to achieve this objective, through bilateral contacts with the political parties and our ongoing engagement with the British Government, including through the mechanisms of the Anglo-Irish Conference.