Vol. 478 No. 5
5 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give his assessment of the prospects in respect of resuming productive and inclusive all-party talks following elections on the basis of a renewed IRA ceasefire and averting a serious escalation in community tensions during the marching season. [11630/97]
The multi-party negotiations, which were adjourned on 5 March, are scheduled to resume in Belfast on 3 June. On several occasions the Government has made clear its disappointment at the slow pace of progress so far, and we will seek to ensure that, following their resumption, the negotiations are pursued with a keener sense of purpose. It is essential that the work of the opening plenary session is completed quickly and we move on to substantive negotiations in the three strands. It remains our view that the decommissioning issue, which remains the chief obstacle in the way of this objective, can only be resolved on the basis of the implementation of the Report of the International Body in all its aspects.
It is vital that after the British general election all parties with a serious interest in peace and reconciliation, whatever their differing views on constitutional or other matters, rededicate themselves to working with each other and with the two Governments to make the negotiations succeed for the good of all the people in both communities in Northern Ireland and in the interest of the relationships between the peoples of these islands. The negotiating framework has been carefully constructed and has many substantial assets, including international goodwill and the involvement of authoritative and skilled independent chairmen. Balanced safeguards protecting the interests of all parties and the people they represent are in place. Failure to take this opportunity for dialogue and agreement would further damage the credibility of the whole concept of democratic politics in Northern Ireland.
Undoubtedly, the political climate in which the negotiations take place will have an important influence on their chances of success. The impact of the parades issue on community relations in general, and on the standing of political leadership in particular, provide further reasons for all involved to ensure that parades are not allowed to become, once again, an object of confrontation and a source of disorder and lawlessness. By the same token, progress in the negotiations could make a contribution to the relaxation of the tensions surrounding parades. However, the single most important factor in the equation would be the restoration of a completely peaceful environment free of all paramilitary violence which would contribute immensely to building confidence in the political process.
The Government's preference has always been for a fully inclusive process of negotiations; inclusive, that is, of all parties committed to advancing their objectives by peaceful and democratic means alone. We want Sinn Féin to take its place as an equal participant at the negotiations but this cannot happen until there is a complete and unequivocal restoration of the IRA ceasefire. Moreover, the longer it takes until there is such a restoration, the harder it will be for the republican movement to convince even people of goodwill of its credibility and durability. Violent or disruptive actions by the IRA, whether in Northern Ireland or in Britain, are totally counter-productive and reprehensible. They serve only to put further gratuitous obstacles in the way of Sinn Féin being able to present the views of its supporters at the negotiating table. Furthermore, we will not allow the self-imposed absence of any party to stand in the way of the energetic pursuit of the fullest measure of progress achievable in dialogue between the Governments and the parties at the table.
The Tánaiste speaks of a keener sense of purpose being the driving force when the talks resume on 3 June having been suspended on 5 March. Surely his credibility in this matter would be far greater if there was no delay in calling a general election. If the decision of the Irish people at the ballot box was out of the way as in the UK, the talks could commence with clear direction on 3 June because there is no hope at present of a serious resumption of talks. Is it not a fact that there may not be a serious resumption of these talks until the autumn because there is no clear political direction?
No. I can be fairly direct with Deputy Burke. As the Deputy will be aware, the date of the election has not been fixed; that is the constitutional prerogative of the Taoiseach. On the question of the resumption of talks, I believe strongly there will be a serious resumption of these talks on 3 June and it is our intention to be there at the table.
I join the Tánaiste in condemning IRA violence and in particular its recent disruptive behaviour during the course of the British general election campaign, and the bombings in the UK. Would the Government be concerned to ensure that the rules of participation in the talks are applied equitably to republicans and loyalists?There appears to be a disposition at present to require more than just a lasting ceasefire from the IRA. On the one hand serious breaches of the Mitchell principles have been overlooked to date, the latest of these, the threat to prison officers, from the loyalist side. While I have no desire to see any party with a serious commitment to democracy being excluded from the talks, surely both Governments must be seen to be making an effort to be more even handed?
It is fair to state that even handedness is necessary in respect of republicans and loyalists. It is important that there be a clear, unequivocal restoration of the ceasefire. However, as I stated on many occasions, it is not a question of a ceasefire, we want an end to violence and the threat of violence. Deputy Burke has made many forthright remarks during his career about his views on IRA and loyalist violence.We are ad idem on that issue and will continue to be so.
It is extremely important to get away from the culture of violence. Everyone understands the historical background and baggage accompanying this issue but it is important that we try to break down the mistrust that exists when the talks resume. Deputy Burke has attended the talks and is aware of the atmosphere prevalent at the negotiating table. We have a long way to go to break down mistrust among constitutional politicians in Northern Ireland and those on the island as a whole. We have a long journey to make together.
On the last occasion I answered questions tabled by Deputy Burke I informed him that there are suspicious minds on all sides. The first major test for both Governments and the parties in respect of the talks process is to gain a clear understanding that we all want to work together and that no one wants to take advantage of predicaments or situations. Trying to instil that sense of confidence into the talks will take a great deal of work. I hope this can be achieved. I do not believe it was achieved in 1991-92 and it was not achieved in the period up to 5 March. However, the first requirement is that we must be able to sit across the table from each other, politician to politician — with no vested interests being represented or games being played — and state that we want to work out a settlement which respects the diversity on this island and allows us to work together in a peaceful way.
Deputy Burke has been very forceful in opinions he expressed in recent days on radio programmes and elsewhere. Every time there is an atrocity or a threatened atrocity it becomes more difficult for those of us who advocate inclusive talks because further barriers and distrust are created. I hope we can return to the talks on 3 June in a spirit of confidence with which, for historical reasons, we must all deal. Leadership must also be shown. There are divisions in the loyalist, Unionist and Nationalist communities. We must do our best to heal those divisions and work together to achieve reconciliation between the parties in Northern Ireland, on the island as a whole, and between both Governments.
I welcome the Tánaiste's acknowledgement that all Members are committed to opposing violence, the threat of violence and the behaviour of the IRA because Fine Gael seemed to question that commitment from Members on this side of the House. The Tánaiste correctly represented my position, and that of my party leader, on this issue.
I agree that this issue involves leadership. This will be required when the talks resume on 3 June. It is vitally important that the people will have decided, one way or the other, at a general election on the make-up of the next Government so that a serious leadership role can be taken from 3 June onward rather than having to wait until after the marching season. Can the Tánaiste give any reassurance that "Drumcree III" can be avoided? Is a compromise possible? Will the Orange Order be required to forego marching down the Garvaghy Road or will the march be forced through? Does the Tánaiste agree that either outcome would have serious consequences which no Member wants to see? It is vitally important that clear direction be given from 3 June onward.
I share the Tánaiste's view on an unequivocal ceasefire and the halting of targeting and rearming. An unequivocal ceasefire must be put in place so that everyone can attend the talks. Clear leadership at those talks should be provided by a Government with a clear mandate, not by an Administration embroiled in a campaign to seek such a mandate.
For obvious reasons, I do not wish to be dragged into a discussion on the date of the election. I understand that the Government's mandate can run until January and we will approach the negotiations in that light.
I cannot deal with Deputy Burke's question about Drumcree at present because of the rules relating to priority questions but Question No. 12 concerns parades and I will provide detailed information when we reach it. It is vital that an accommodation be found in respect of parades. The process of local dialogue and compromise advocated by the Government is vital and the recommendations of the North report should be enacted into legislation as quickly as possible. I hope the Parades Commission will meet with success and I believe that the correct route has been taken. However, compromise and discussion at local level will ultimately bring about the methodology we are seeking.
