Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 5

Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Talks.

James Leonard

Question:

55 Mr. Leonard asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the official structures or committees which currently exist between the British and Irish Governments to resolve issues relating to the commencement of all-party talks and the decommissioning of weapons. [16042/95]

Máirín Quill

Question:

58 Miss Quill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when the preliminary talks about talks announced at Downing Street on 28 November 1995 will commence; the venue; and between whom the talks will be held. [18346/95]

Ivor Callely

Question:

60 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the groundwork that has been undertaken to accommodate a start to the round table negotiations; the matters that have been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17599/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 55, 58 and 60 together.

The Taoiseach, the Minister for Social Welfare and I reported to the House on 29 November that, on the previous evening, following intensive discussions at both political and official level, the Irish and British Governments agreed to launch a "twin track" process to make progress in parallel on the decommissioning issue and on all-party negotiations. By way of the twin tracks, the two Governments have the firm aim of achieving the launch of all-party negotiations by the end of February 1996.

An International Body under the chairmanship of Senator George Mitchell, and also including General John De Chastelain and Mr. Harri Holkeri, has been established to provide an independent assessment of the decommissioning issue. It has been asked to submit its report to the two Governments by mid-January.

The two Governments also agreed to invite the Northern parties to intensive preparatory talks with a remit to reach widespread agreement on the basis, participation, structure, format and agenda to bring all parties together for substantive negotiations aimed at a political settlement based on consent.

On Friday, 1 December, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I wrote separately, but in similar terms, to the Ulster Unionist Party, the SDLP, the Democratic Unionist Party, Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party, the Progressive Unionist Party, the Ulster Democratic Party, The Workers' Party and to Robert McCartney, MP, inviting each of them to participate in preparatory talks as referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Communiqué. I would hope that a process of dialogue on this basis can be developed in an intensive manner over the coming months. I regret that the two main Unionist parties have already indicated that they do not envisage a meeting with the Irish Government in the context of the twin-track process in the near future. However, I would hope that progress in the process will lead them to reconsider their positions. All must play a part in the vital search for a political settlement to underpin the peace process.

The Government is ready to meet the relevant parties in whatever format is agreeable to them. This could include the two Governments meeting jointly with one or more of the parties. The venues for these talks will vary according to the wishes and convenience of the participants.

We are flexible about practical issues of this kind. The basic test to be applied in each case will be whether the purpose of the preparatory talks — which is to assist in the launch of substantive negotiations — will be advanced.

The positions of the Irish and British Governments are discussed in various formats as the occasion warrants. These include formal and informal contacts at Prime Ministerial and Ministerial level, diplomatic contact through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat and the respective Embassies, and various official meetings convened to address specific points, and usually involving representatives of the Departments of the Taoiseach, of Foreign Affairs and of Justice.