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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 2

Written Answers. - Official Engagements.

John Bruton

Question:

24 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the leader of the SDLP, Mr. John Hume in Dublin. [3219/99]

John Bruton

Question:

25 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting on 3 February 1999 with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Mowlam. [3220/99]

John Bruton

Question:

26 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Northern Ireland on 5 February 1999. [3221/99]

John Bruton

Question:

27 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting on 5 February 1999 with the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Mr. Mallon. [3222/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

28 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3401/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

29 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the leader of the SDLP, Mr. John Hume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3402/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

30 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his engagements in the Border counties last week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3403/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

31 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting last week with the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Mr. Seamus Mallon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3404/99]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

32 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if he will request the National Economic and Social Forum and the National Economic and Social Council to undertake work with a view to assisting in the establishment of the civic forum proposed under the Good Friday Agreement. [3463/99]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

33 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Dr. Mo Mowlam; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3472/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 to 33 together.

I had a very successful visit to Armagh and Newry last Friday. During my visit to Armagh I met Archbishop Brady and we visited the soon to be opened Cardinal Ó Fiaich Memorial Library. I then went to the Queen's University campus at Armagh, where I met Dr. Richard Jay, acting academic director and staff and students of the university. I also participated in a video link with Professor George Bain, vice-chancellor of Queen's University Belfast and I visited the Robinson Library, which houses the national archive of the Church of Ireland and also has close associations with Jonathan Swift.
Also while in Armagh, I attended a lunch hosted by the Mayor of Armagh, Councillor Robert Turner of the UUP. This event was attended by the local MP and Deputy First Minister, Seamus Mallon, church leaders and representatives of the partnership board, including political representatives from the various parties and representatives of local businesses, trades unions, and the community sector.
In the afternoon, accompanied by Deputy First Minister, Seamus Mallon, I visited Newry. My visit there included a site visit to see the progress being made on the new Roches Stores outlet being built there, a further example of the opportunities for investment and employment that can be reaped in an island economy operating in conditions of peace.
A walkabout in Newry town gave me an opportunity to meet the people of Newry and see for myself the impressive revitalisation which is taking place there, much of it with the assistance of the International Fund for Ireland. I also attended a special meeting of the Newry and Mourne District Council. At this meeting, I commended the council for their proactive approach to cross-Border initiatives, including their involvement in the East Border Region Committee, their links with Dundalk Urban District Council and their involvement with organisations such as the IBEC-CBI Joint Business Council.
Following on my meeting with the council, I met with the Newry and Mourne District Partnership Board, who briefed me on their activities in the area. I also attended a civic reception hosted by the district council, at which I met a wide range of individuals and representatives from across the spectrum including local community groups. During my visit to Armagh and Newry I also had very useful private meetings with Seamus Mallon and the UUP Assembly member, Danny Kennedy.
I do not propose to discuss or report in detail on all the meetings I had in the past week relating to Northern Ireland other than to say that I met the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Dr. Mo Mowlam, and the SDLP leader Mr. John Hume in Dublin and our discussions focused, in the main, on how best to ensure the successful implementation of the provisions of the British-Irish Agreement, in particular, the issues surrounding the formation of the Executive. It is clear that we have to continue our efforts to achieve progress and that is what we are doing.
With regard to the consultative forum envisaged under strand two of the British-Irish Agreement, our efforts to date have, in the main, been focused on the implementation of the North-South aspects of the Agreement. The consultative forum is a matter to be considered, between the administrations North and South and in due course, when the Northern Administration is in place, I could see a role for the National Economic and Social Forum and the National Economic and Social Council in advising on the matter.
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