Gay Mitchell
Question:1 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's views on the current state of the Northern Ireland talks process. [4494/98]
Ceisteanna — Questions. - Northern Ireland Peace Process.
2
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the current state of the all-party talks. [4497/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
The session of the talks held earlier this week in Dublin Castle was completely dominated by consideration in the plenary, under rule 29 of the Rules of Procedure, of the question of the position of Sinn Féin in the talks in the light of the recent murders in Belfast of Brendan Campbell and Robert Dougan. The session, which allowed all parties, including Sinn Féin, the opportunity to state their views in full, concluded yesterday afternoon. The two Governments have begun their deliberations, but have not yet reached a conclusion on the terms of a determination. As soon as the determination has been agreed, the parties will be informed and it will then be made public. I am not in a position to say more about this matter for the moment.
The Government is deeply disappointed that the talks were unable this week to concentrate on further detailed discussion of strands two and three. The intention had been to debate the written responses of the parties to the matters set out in the papers circulated by the two Governments at the session in London from 26 to 28 January.
This would have been facilitated by the intention of the independent chairmen to bring forward a paper drawing together these responses.
In the period since the London session, there have been vigorous and useful exchanges on a range of issues, including rights and safeguards, economic and social questions, and strand one matters.
The talks will resume next week in Belfast, and it is planned that there will be meetings there of strand one, strand two, and of the liaison subcommittees on decommissioning and confidence building measures.
While considerable differences continue to exist between the stated positions of the participants on a significant number of issues, we are still of the view that there is a reasonable prospect of finding common ground as the negotiations approach their final stages. The two Governments are both determined that this opportunity for a lasting and honourable peace must not be squandered, and we will do all in our power to promote and encourage the compromises which are necessary on all sides if a settlement is to be achieved.
Will the Minister agree that people who say they aspire to taking on a democratic way of life should do that without qualification? Will he also agree that in relation to the sad developments in Northern Ireland, the Sinn Féin party should take its medicine in the same way as the UDP, even though it claimed it had no contact or involvement with those who carried out acts of violence? Will the Minister confirm that Sinn Féin will be put out of the talks? Will he say for how long, and what will happen the talks in the meantime? Perhaps it would be more accurate to ask whether the Minister agrees that Sinn Féin has put itself out of the talks. Nobody in this House wants to see Sinn Féin out of the talks. I want to see the party in the talks, but if it is excluded, it is because it has excluded itself. Will the Minister agree, therefore, that when it finds itself in this position, rather than running off to the courts and blaming all and sundry, it should learn the democratic game, as the rest of us have, and take responsibility where it is its to take?
What timescale does the Minister envisage for both Governments putting before the talks a comprehensive paper covering all three strands? Will he confirm that that timescale will not be interfered with in any way regardless of whether Sinn Féin is present or absent?
We have now concluded the process of listening to the various participants in the talks. That process came to a conclusion at 4 o'clock yesterday after three difficult and stressful days. Thereafter, the two Governments analysed and sifted, and continue to analyse and sift the contributions of the various parties. More particularly we listened very carefully to what Sinn Féin had to say arising from the proposed determination under paragraph 29 of the rules of procedure relating to the Mitchell principles, that is, section 20 of the decommissioning rules. That is how the position stands. As a long-serving Member, I am anxious to be as open as possible as has been my practice as a Minister or back-bencher, but I am constrained by virtue of the fact that the determination is ongoing.
In regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, the talks will resume next week in Belfast, and it is planned to have meetings of strand one and strand two and of the liaison subcommittees on decommissioning and confidence building measures.
These are difficult days. As I said during the course of a number of press conferences, it is a time for steady nerves and for leadership and, as Senator Mitchell said, it is a time to keep our eyes on the big prize, which is permanent peace on the island of Ireland forever. People on both sides of the House have devoted long hours over weeks and months to advancing this process which has been brought further than ever before. We are within two months of a settlement, much closer than anyone would have predicted. We must be more determined than ever to bring about a resolution in the talks process under the guidance and leadership of the three co-chairmen and, more particularly, under the guidance and leadership of the brilliant former judge, Senator George Mitchell. His leadership in all this has been exceptional and I would like to pay tribute to it. I have no doubt I will have the opportunity of doing so in the future when, as he indicated in his own optimistic fashion, he announces a settlement between all the parties present at the talks over the next few months. The House will appreciate that I am constrained by the predicament in which I find myself. It would be inappropriate to comment on the matters the Deputy has mentioned.
One can accept what the Minister says about the troublesome nature of the past few days where no progress has been made. However, the deliberations were concluded yesterday afternoon. Work went on last night and again this morning. Can he give an indication as to when the Government will arrive at a conclusion on the presence or otherwise of Sinn Féin at the talks? Prolonging the agony one way or the other at this stage is destabilising and a determination should be made at the earliest possible hour this afternoon.
In the event of Sinn Féin being excluded as a result of deeds and activities of the IRA, for which responsibility has to be taken, how does the Minister see the talks process continuing? We all set out to make the talks process as inclusive as possible but we are moving towards the wire in terms of 1 May. How can the Government continue its work and seek agreement between the remaining parties when the likelihood is that Sinn Féin will not accept that which is about to be agreed?
In the circumstances I could not anticipate a determination or what Sinn Féin might agree to in the light of a determination which may be negative. I appreciate the Deputy's acknowledgement of the predicament in which I find myself having regard to the upcoming determination.
The process came to an end yesterday afternoon. The two Governments have a very heavy responsibility and we worked late into last night and continued the work this morning. When I leave this Chamber the efforts to reach a determination will continue. I would like to think the work will conclude by the late afternoon or evening.
Will the Minister deal with the other part of my question on the timescale for both Governments producing a comprehensive paper covering the three strands?
That issue has been addressed by the Taoiseach. I learned early in the process that one must be very careful about the use of words. The Taoiseach said that he and the Government, including me and the Minister of State, are addressing the point raised by Deputy Mitchell. We must have consultation with all the parties in the process. As Deputy Spring and others have said, this is an inclusive process. In these circumstances we cannot pop a paper out of an upturned hat and say this is the conclusion of the Government. All these matters have to be addressed within the totality of the three strands and relationships and groups within the strands, based on the premise that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.
The Minister said that the liaison subcommittee on decommissioning would meet next week. Has the subcommittee made any progress to date?
It has made some progress but it is not as great as anticipated. As the Deputy will appreciate, this is a very difficult subject in all the circumstances. The co-chairman of the liaison subcommittee hopes to make some progress. However, I do not want to raise expectations. I appreciate the attitude of the Deputies to this matter.