Ruairí Quinn
Question:8 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the meetings, if any, he has had in the past week with the leaders of Northern parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10861/99]
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:9 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has to meet or telephone the President of the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10870/99]
John Bruton
Question:10 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the discussions or meetings, if any, he has had since 21 April 1999 with representatives of Northern Ireland's political parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11007/99]
John Bruton
Question:11 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the discussions or meetings, if any, he has had since 21 April 1999 with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11008/99]
Joe Higgins
Question:12 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Taoiseach the discussions, if any, he has had with the parties to the peace process in advance of the reconvening of talks. [11042/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 12, inclusive, together.
Following the meetings with the main parties I held jointly with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair last week, and our conference calls with the parties in Belfast, a round-table meeting was held in Belfast aimed at breaking the current impasse. This followed on meetings that had taken place on a bilateral and multilateral basis at official level involving the pro-Agreement parties. The two Governments and the parties explored a range of strategies about how to make progress. The talks, which were jointly hosted by Minister of State Liz O'Donnell and Minister Adam Ingram, were useful and all the parties are focused on the priority objective – the establishment of the Executive.
I met with the Sinn Féin President, Mr Gerry Adams last Saturday. Mr Adams and I reviewed the situation with regard to how best to progress the implementation of the Agreement. As a result of the meeting, I am satisfied that the leadership of Sinn Féin remain committed to finding a way through the current difficulties on the basis of securing a sufficiently wide consensus.
The dialogue is continuing this week and on Monday Minister of State O'Donnell and Minister Paul Murphy met a number of the parties in Belfast.
In the light of the discussions that have taken place, I and relevant colleagues are considering how best to now make progress towards the priority objective. We will be reviewing the situa tion with our British counterparts and with the parties. In that context, the Prime Minister and I agreed, on the telephone, to meet with all the pro-Agreement parties next week in London.
I have no plans at present to contact President Clinton but close contact is, of course, being maintained with the United States Administration at other levels.