John Bruton
Question:67 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the North-South co-operation projects in which his Department will be involved in 1999. [18908/99]
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.
John Bruton
Question:145 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has made a technical and operational assessment of the ways in which it can participate in North-South co-operation projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17447/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 145 together.
The Good Friday Agreement established a new institutional framework for North-South co-operation. Once in operation, this framework will provide a context in which North-South co-operation can be developed to mutual benefit, in a new, enhanced way.
My Department was actively involved in the negotiation of that agreement and in the practical work which has been ongoing since 10 April last year, in preparation for the establishment of the new North-South institutions.
As the House will be aware, legislation is in place since March providing for the establishment of the North-South Ministerial Council and the implementation bodies. Funding and staffing issues have also been considered and financial provision for the establishment of the bodies has been made.
However, as the Deputy will know, the implementation of the institutional elements of the agreement is currently stalled because of the difficulties surrounding the formation of the Northern Executive and decommissioning. A review of the implementation of the agreement, with Senator George Mitchell as facilitator, has been under way since 6 September.
If the difficulties being addressed in the review are resolved, we will be able to proceed with the formal establishment of the new institutions, including those relating to North-South matters. My Department will have an important role to play in the development of North-South co-operation in that new context.
In the meantime, co-operation on ongoing projects and initiatives is continuing under existing arrangements. These arrangements include the role played by the Anglo-Irish Secretariat, under the aegis of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, for which my Department has day to day responsibility. That ongoing work will continue to be taken forward in this way, pending the coming into being of the new institutional arrangements provided for in the agreement.
In regard to specific projects directly involving my Department, I want to point out that, it has, in co-operation with the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland, responsibility for the implementation of a programme of cross-Border co-operation between public bodies and the European Union Special Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.
Thirty projects involving grants of approximately £7.5 million have been approved during 1999, fully committing all funding available under the programme. These involve projects in a wide range of sectors including health, education, tourism, training, sport and fisheries. A table giving details of the projects and grants approved by my Department is being provided to the Deputy.
I should also mention the Peace and Reconciliation Fund, which this year was increased eightfold to £2 million. The fund, which was established in 1982, is administered by my Department and provides assistance to organisations involved in reconciliation work in both parts of this island and between Ireland and Britain. A wide variety of cross-Border projects have been approved this year under the fund, with applications being processed on an ongoing basis.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:68 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself with the position in relation to the investigations into the deaths of Robert Hamill, Rosemary Nelson and the other many less mentioned unresolved cases; and if he will make a statement on any recent initiatives in respect of advancing these cases. [21592/99]
Ivor Callely
Question:148 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made on the investigation into the murder of Ms Rosemary Nelson; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21045/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 148 together.
In relation to the investigation into the murder of Robert Hamill, I would refer the Deputy to my comprehensive answer to Questions Nos. 64 and 84 – ref. nos. 20885/99 and 20879/99).
The Government's policy, as has been expressed consistently since the horrific killing of Lurgan solicitor Rosemary Nelson in a car-bomb attack last March, is that the investigation into her murder must be – and be seen to be – thorough, transparent and independent.
The Department of Foreign Affairs maintains ongoing and close contact with the British auth orities on a broad range of issues relating to the investigation of Ms Nelson's murder and indeed of other cases. The role of the RUC in the investigation into Ms Nelson's murder has, of course, been an issue of deep concern to the Nationalist community and to human rights organisations, both at home and abroad. The investigation is now led by Deputy Chief Constable Colin Port, of the Norfolk police, and the establishment and use of a non-RUC confidential telephone line is one of a number of issues on which progress has been made. I would encourage all those with relevant information to assist the investigation into this horrendous murder in every appropriate way.