John Bruton
Question:7 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of the reply, if any, he has sent to the letter he received recently from Mr David Trimble, MP. [3001/98]
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Peace Process.
John Bruton
Question:8 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach his involvement, if any, in the all-party talks when they move to Dublin in February 1998; the receptions, if any, he proposes to host for the participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3060/98]
John Bruton
Question:9 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach his views on the comments on Northern Ireland made by the President of the United States and the British Prime Minister following their recent meeting in Washington. [3061/98]
John Bruton
Question:10 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the Australian Foreign Minister when he visited Dublin. [3130/98]
John Bruton
Question:11 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach when the Government's overall paper on the Northern talks will be completed. [3132/98]
Ruairí Quinn
Question:12 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the outcome of his meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 5 February 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3353/98]
John Bruton
Question:13 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting on 5 February 1998 in Dublin with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr. Mo Mowlam. [3356/98]
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:14 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach the report, if any, he has received from the British or US Governments on the talks between Prime Minister Blair and President Clinton in so far as they related to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3427/98]
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:15 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr. Mo Mowlam, on 5 February 1998. [3430/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 15, inclusive, together.
I met last Thursday with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland — Dr. Marjorie Mowlam MP. We had a useful discussion which focused on developments in the multi-party talks. We are pleased that the process is now progressing in all three strands. We discussed how we might accelerate this. We are in complete agreement that the best way forward is to focus on the process itself. Consequently, I do not propose to elaborate further, other than to say that relations between both Governments are excellent. We are convinced that by genuinely focusing on all of the core issues involved, we can, with the engagement of all the talks participants, achieve — by the pre-Easter target — a balanced settlement, based on agreement, to put to the people in referendums, North and South, by May.
I look forward to the multi-party talks sessions which will take place in Dublin Castle later this month. I will meet with the talks participants on Monday next and as part of the programme, I will host a reception for the participants in Dublin Castle that evening for which invitations will issue to appropriate representatives of opposition parties.
As I said last week, the Government is carrying forward work on elaborating its views on the details of a settlement. Deputies will be aware that the general practice in the negotiations has been for the two Governments to act jointly, including in presenting any papers. Whether and when to present the results of the work under way will be determined by the Governments in the light of progress in the three strands.
I replied to Mr. Trimble's letter yesterday. I do not propose to discuss my response other than to make the point that I do not accept the parallel he has drawn between the events in question and the new inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday.
I welcome the affirmation by President Clinton and Prime Minister Blair of their continuing commitment to peace in Northern Ireland. I would join with them in condemning the recent sectarian killings and urging all of the parties to show their vision, forbearance and determination to succeed.
I met last Wednesday with Mr. Alexander Downer, the Australian Foreign Minister. We had a very positive meeting covering a number of issues. I was pleased to be able to inform him of the progress in the multi-party talks and, of course, to thank him for Australia's continued contribution to the International Fund for Ireland and in particular, the contribution of $1.5 million for 1998.