Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 2

Written Answers. - Forum for Peace and Reconciliation.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

19 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach the proposals, if any, the Government has for the future of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation in the context of the implementation of the British-Irish Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13404/98]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

20 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the recent meetings he has had in relation to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13693/98]

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 20 together.

At this stage, I am keeping an open mind in relation to the future of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. It could be held that with regard to the provisions of the British-Irish Agreement, including those related to the civic forum in Northern Ireland and the possible North/South consultative forum, and with regard to the Inter-parliamentary links which the Agreement provides for, it could be appropriate to bring proceedings of the Forum to an orderly close following a final meeting.

This is something which will have to be considered by all the parties to the Forum, and I believe that at this stage, it would be prudent to keep this matter under review in light of the evolution of events.

I have had a wide range of meetings relating to Northern Ireland recently, including the meetings which I reported on extensively last week and the week before. I do not propose to go into detail on every meeting that I have, but I can assure the House that all of my meetings are aimed at finding the best way forward to secure an effective and successful implementation of all the provisions of the Agreement.