Gay Mitchell
Question:34 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the Northern Ireland peace process. [21013/99]
Priority Questions. - Northern Ireland Issues.
The Government attaches the highest priority to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. While very substantial progress has been made, and continues to be made in the implementation of many aspects of the Agreement, it has not been possible to establish the institutions in the absence of an agreed basis for the formation of an executive.
The review of the implementation of the Agreement, which is being facilitated by Senator George Mitchell, is continuing. The parties have been meeting intensively, in a range of formats. The Government, with the British Government, is maintaining very close contact with Senator Mitchell and the parties and we are doing all we can to support them in their efforts.
As the House will be aware, Senator Mitchell today issued a statement. He will meet the Taoiseach, the Minister of State and me later today and we look forward to hearing from him at first hand. On the point he has reached he said:
On the basis of these intensive discussions, conducted over a period of nine weeks, I am convinced that these parties are sincere and acting in good faith in seeking the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. They want devolution and decommissioning. The problem, of course, is that there are differences among the parties on how these objectives can be achieved. My meetings with the parties are well advanced. Consultation with them is the most important, but not the only part, of the review. Before advancing it further, I must meet the British Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, since they initiated the review. In addition, I must obtain the assessment of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, since two of the three principles agreed on 25 June relate to decommissioning and one of them refers specifically to the commission. Accordingly, I have asked the commission for its assessment.
Additional Information
I will meet the Taoiseach in Dublin later today, the Prime Minister in London tomorrow, and President Clinton later in the week. I will renew my meetings with the parties in Belfast on Monday. I expect to have my report ready shortly thereafter.
Senator Mitchell is doing an outstanding job and we are anxious that nothing is said or done to make his job more difficult. Therefore, I hope the House appreciates that, at this sensitive stage, it is not possible for me to enter into further detail on the progress of the review. I am encouraged by the improved atmosphere and by the fact that there is real engagement between the parties on the key substantive issues. I share Senator Mitchell's belief that the parties are sincere and acting in good faith in seeking the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. It represents far and away the best opportunity for long-term peace, stability and reconciliation, and it would be a tragedy if that opportunity were not taken in full.
We are satisfied the ceasefires of the main paramilitary organisations remain intact and that there is no threat to them. However, the activities of extreme paramilitary elements on both sides are a cause for concern and for extreme vigilance on the part of the security forces North and South. I am sure the House will join me in expressing thanks and admiration for the recent outstanding work of the Garda.
At our meeting a fortnight ago, on Tuesday, 19 October, I reviewed with the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Mandelson, a range of matters, including the Mitchell review, the report of the Patten Commission, the ongoing dispute over the Drumcree parade, and the cases of Robert Hamill and Pat Finucane. In warmly welcoming Peter Mandelson and wishing him well in his challenging new appointment, I place on record a warm tribute to the contribution made by his predecessor, my good friend, Mo Mowlam. The achievement of the Good Friday Agreement and the progress made so far in its implementation owe a great deal to her efforts. She was an outstanding Secretary of State and I am sure the House joins me in extending to her our deepest gratitude, admiration and best wishes for success in the important new position at the Cabinet Office to which she has been appointed.
Given the sensitive stage of these discussions, I do not wish to pursue the question beyond asking the Minister where stand Articles 2 and 3. What is the precise legal position of those Articles? Will he need to return to the House on those matters? What machinery is in place to deal with them?
Articles 2 and 3 were the subject of a question asked by the Labour Party leader of the Taoiseach. If I may, I use the well worn phrase, "Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed". As sure as day follows night, the establishment of the executive, having regard to ongoing negotiations, will follow the establishment of the assembly in due course, the North-South implementation bodies will follow the executive, which will be followed automatically by the British-Irish Council, followed by the British-Irish Agreement. The whole package is inter linked and in that will be triggered Articles 2 and 3, as amended, and agreed to by a massive majority of the people.
Will the Minister need to return to the House on the matter? What machinery is in place to deal with it?
The machinery is already in place and there is no need, as I understand it – but this is subject to clarification – for the Minister to return to the House. However, in the event of my assessment being incorrect, I will let the Deputy have a note on the matter, if that is acceptable to him.