Ivor Callely
Question:61 Mr. Callely asked the Taoiseach the progress, if any, made in relation to a referendum on the peace process in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8051/97]
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Peace Process.
I refer the Deputy to the reply that I gave to Questions Nos. 1 to 8 on 22 January when I stated inter alia that the outcome of the multi-party talks would have to be approved by the people by means of referendum. Since the talks have not yet yielded an ultimate outcome, the issue of a referendum does not arise at this point in time.
Ivor Callely
Question:62 Mr. Callely asked the Taoiseach his views on whether Sinn Féin's democratically elected representatives have the same equal right to dialogue as other democratically elected representatives with representatives of the Irish Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8053/97]
The Government's position on contacts with Sinn Féin remains as set out in my reply to oral Questions Nos. 1 to 8 of 22 January when I said that the official level channel of communication to Sinn Féin can be used whenever the Government receive reliable assurances that an IRA ceasefire is attainable in a genuinely short-term horizon, and that previously identified and realistically attainable things need to be discussed at the meeting, and done, that will achieve that end. If such assurances are received, meetings can be arranged at very short notice. The sole purpose of any such meeting would be an end to IRA violence, once and for all, and quickly.
It is the IRA campaign of violence which is responsible for Sinn Féin not having the same level of access to communication with the Government as is available to all those parties which abide exclusively by democratic and peaceful means.