Dick Spring
Question:30 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current state of the all-party talks in Belfast; and his views on the programme for such talks for the coming months. [14653/97]
Priority Questions. - Northern Ireland Peace Process.
I welcome this opportunity to bring the House up to date on the recent significant progress in the all-party negotiations in Belfast.
A major breakthrough was achieved on 24 September when, after 16 months of deadlock, the participants adopted a procedural motion completing the work of the opening plenary session and launching the substantive political negotiations in the three strands. This followed quickly on the entry of Sinn Féin to the negotiations, confirmed by its acceptance of the Mitchell principles of democracy and non-violence on 9 September.
I am sure Deputies on both sides of the House will agree that these are historic developments. The British and Irish Governments are now sitting around the same table with representatives of elements of all traditions on these islands — Nationalists and republicans, Unionists and loyalists — for the purpose of bringing about a negotiated settlement covering relationships within Northern Ireland, on the island of Ireland and between the people of Britain and Ireland.
Last week's breakthrough required considerable effort and understanding from all those involved. The momentum was provided by the two Governments — there had been continuous contact either between the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State and myself or officials in the lead up to last Wednesday. However, every one of the parties also played its part. This is especially true of the Ulster Unionist Party which, in the face of constant attack from other elements within unionism, was prepared to overcome its reservations about sitting down with Sinn Féin and modify its stance on decommissioning in order to allow the negotiations to proceed. I acknowledge David Trimble's courage in leading his party through these difficult decisions.
Without revealing the details of last week's negotiations, it was no surprise to learn that it was John Hume, whose selfless commitment to the peace process has done much to bring us where we are today, who brokered the final breakthrough last Wednesday evening. Similarly, I applaud the efforts of those within the republican movement who brought about the restoration of the IRA ceasefire of 20 July which opened the way for Sinn Féin's entry to the negotiations.
The business committee of the talks met this morning under the independent chairmanship of General de Chastelain. Following that meeting, the intention is that negotiations in all three strands will open in Belfast next Tuesday. Strand I negotiations will begin in the morning, Strand II in the afternoon and Strand III that evening. I look forward to leading the Government delegation on this historic occasion.
The negotiations, which will be based on an outline agenda adopted by the participants last Tuesday, will take place within three separate strands which will proceed in parallel. Strand I negotiations involving the British Government and the political parties will cover the relationships within Northern Ireland, including the relationship between any new institutions there and the Westminster Parliament. Meetings will take place in Belfast and will be chaired by the British Government.
Strand II negotiations, involving the two Governments and the political parties, will address the relationships within the island of Ireland. Meetings will take place in Belfast, Dublin and London under the joint independent chairmanship of Senator George Mitchell, Prime Minister Harri Holkeri and General John de Chastelain. Strand III negotiations on the wider British-Irish relationship will take place between the two Governments which will consult with the parties.
The plenary will reconvene every two months or so, under the independent chairmanship of Senator Mitchell, to review progress across the spectrum of the negotiations and to consider whether the necessary confidence and momentum towards agreement is being sustained. Two subcommittees of the plenary have been established to assist, as appropriate, with the implementation of all aspects of the report of the International Body on Decommissioning. One subcommittee will deal with the issue of decommissioning and will liaise with the Independent Commission formally established by the Governments last Wednesday to facilitate the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons. The commission is made up of General de Chastelain of Canada, who will act as chairman, Brigadier Tauno Nieminen of Finland and Mr. Donald Johnson of the USA. The other subcommittee of the plenary will deal with the other confidence-building measures identified in the report of the International Body on Decommissioning and any others which might be referred by agreement to the plenary.
The launch of substantive negotiations gives the representatives of the main political parties in Northern Ireland and the two Governments a unique opportunity to achieve a lasting agreement, addressing the totality of relationships, which commands the consent of both Unionists and Nationalists. Fully inclusive talks provide the best chance to achieve such an outcome. Of those parties eligible to participate in the negotiations, only the DUP and the UKUP have refused to take their seats. I appeal to these parties to reconsider their position. Whatever the aspirations of any party, the present negotiations offer the only means by which they can realistically hope to attain them.
I do not under-estimate the challenge facing the talks participants. During the coming months it will be necessary to find acceptable political structures which can command sufficient consensus among the political representatives of both communities, and both Governments. Once that agreement has been reached, the proposals will be put to the people in referendums, North and South, before being placed before the respective Parliaments for ratification.
I will keep the House informed of the state of progress in the negotiations through questions put to me on the matter, and through any other appropriate opportunity which arises. The present 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. As the Taoiseach stated last week, it is vital that all of the participants continue to work together constructively and in good faith to reach an agreed settlement as quickly as possible, in the interests of all the people of these islands.
In the Minister's absence we acknowledged the work done by both Governments in recent months. I repeat those sentiments in his presence, compliment him on the work done to date and wish both Governments well in respect of the three-stranded talks due to take place on Tuesday next.
In his concluding remarks the Minister stated that he would be glad to supply information to the House. Will he provide information regarding what he stated in respect of Sinn Féin's position in Washington last week?
I thank the Deputy for his comments about my role, and that of the two Governments, in the talks process and, as stated earlier, I will keep the House informed of developments.
During my visit to the United States last week I emphasised the deep nature of the settlement we are seeking. In my speech to the United Nations, for example, I described the all-party talks as a process in which the future of a peaceful and agreed Ireland is to be mapped out. In making the same point to journalists in Washington, I also stated that while all parties would rightly come to the table with their respective agendas and proposals no one side could expect to gain everything it desired from the talks. In this context, I gave a sense of the structure set out in the Framework Document but stated that nothing was predetermined or ruled out in advance and only in the context of the totality of relations could we find an historic solution. In summary, I indicated we are seeking a fair, honourable and comprehensive settlement to this last residual problem in Anglo-Irish relations.
I thank the Minister. I understand the language he used in the United Nations, but, more specifically, did he express an opinion that Sinn Féin would accept a compromise short of British withdrawal and a United Ireland? If, as widely reported, the Minister expressed those remarks, upon what conversations with representatives of Sinn Féin were they based?
On Thursday, 26 September USA Today reported that I stated: that an IRA ceasefire announced in July which led to talks is holding, within the letter and spirit of the law, a lasting peace in Northern Ireland would not mean an end to British authority, that this would not happen as a result of the talks and that Irish nationalists may argue for it but nobody at the table is going to get all of what they want. I was expressing the reality of the talks in the context of the Framework Document. While as an Irish Republican I would like to see a united Ireland emerging from the talks, I do not believe that will happen as a first step. I believe there will be a three strand solution similar, in many ways, to that proposed in the Framework Document. I do not want to outline the full extent of the Government's negotiating position at this early stage but we must be realistic about the outcome of the process.
Before Deputy Spring asks his next supplementary question, I note that Deputy Joe Higgins is offering. For the benefit of Members, I must point out that under Standing Orders only the Deputy in whose name the original question is tabled may ask supplementary questions.
Did the Minister make the remarks about what Sinn Féin would accept which were directly attributed to him? Did he have discussions with Sinn Féin on which he could form a view on the outcome which would be accepted by the Sinn Féin leadership? Has the Minister discussed with Sinn Féin the article in An Phoblacht in which the IRA said they had difficulty with the Mitchell principles? Has he received any assurances from the Sinn Féin leadership on its ongoing bona fides and commitment to the Mitchell principles?
I did not discuss a compromise with Sinn Féin but I made the point, as I have already outlined, that no one who goes to the table will get everything they want on day one. The outcome will be an historic compromise which will be acceptable to all, despite what I would like to come of it. As far as the article in An Phoblacht is concerned, the Taoiseach expressed the views of the Government on the Thursday morning after it appeared. Sinn Féin is aware of my views on that article and I do not think anything is being gained by going back over that. There has been an historic breakthrough. There was an attempt to indict Sinn Féin at the talks this day last week and the two Governments have made a determination on that. We have to look forward now rather than backwards.
I ask Deputy Spring to allow Question No. 31 to be taken as there are still two priority questions outstanding.
I take it that the Minister has not discussed the remarks in An Phoblacht with the Sinn Féin leadership and that he did not make the remarks attributed to him in Washington.
I outlined exactly what I said in Washington. As far as discussing the matter with Sinn Féin is concerned, I made my views known to its leadership.