Vol. 487 No. 5
30 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress to date in the Northern Ireland talks and the expected timetable for subsequent phases of the talks; if he has satisfied himself with the monitoring procedures to ensure that all participants in the talks remain committed to the Mitchell principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4292/98]
63 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the implications, if any, for the Northern Ireland talks of recent killings in Belfast; the information, if any, he has received through the Anglo Irish secretariat on who the security forces believe to be responsible for recent killings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4286/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 63 together.
I refer the Deputies to the reply I gave earlier to Priority Questions Nos. 1 and 2.
As regards monitoring the commencement of the participants to the Mitchell principles, it is clear that the arrangements which exist under the rules of procedures allow for a full ventilation, by all concerned, of all relevant issues.
31 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the proposed 14 day notification of public parades contained in the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Bill brought forward by the British Government last week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3354/98]
The proposal to which the Deputy refers concerns the imposition of an advance notice requirement of 14 days, where reasonably practicable, for protest meetings. This measure was introduced on Report Stage of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Bill in the House of Commons on 5 February last and was agreed. I understand that the Bill has now completed all parliamentary stages and is awaiting signature into law.
I am not convinced of the rationale for imposing an advance notice requirement on protest meetings and the Government's reservations in this regard have been conveyed through the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.
The main purpose of the legislation is to establish a Parades Commission on a statutory basis. The Government has broadly welcomed the establishment of a Parades Commission with determining powers as recommended in the North review of parades and marches. I do not underestimate the difficult task facing the commission. To succeed, it must acquire the confidence of both communities in Northern Ireland and must be seen to be fair and impartial in carrying out its functions.
The Government hopes that this year the people of Northern Ireland will not have to suffer the trauma which has accompanied recent marching seasons. A balance must be struck between the rights of those who wish to march and the equally valid rights of the community in the area through which they seek to march. The Government continues to believe that accommodations on contentious parades can best be achieved through local dialogue and agreement, based on mutual respect and the accommodation of the respective rights and heritage of both traditions.
